Battling bitterness and resentment…. (devo reflection)

John 20:21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”

Nelson Mandela is attributed as saying, “Resentment is like taking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies.” When we are consumed by anger over a person, a situation, an act, whatever, we cannot connect with Christ’s peace. It’s possible that my anger has no impact on the other person, but it can destroy me from the inside out if I’m not careful.

John 20:23a If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; 

And as much as I would love to lay out for you exactly how to go about forgiving things that feel unforgivable, I cannot because it is something that I struggle with myself. But I understand the intense negative feelings that come with bitterness and resentment. When those feelings are boiling through my heart and veins, Christ’s peace is nowhere to be found. If I am not filled with His peace, it is going to be hard for me to accomplish the tasks He has set for me.

John 20:23b if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

Lord, Thank You for understanding that we need You, we need Your peace, in order to do Your kingdom work. Thank You for the knowledge that when I hold on to the sins and transgressions of others, I allow anger and bitterness to grow, which keeps me from experiencing Your peace. Help me, Lord, to lay those burdens at Your feet so that I may be lavished with Your peace. Amen.

John 20:24-25 But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came.

Have a blessed day. I love you.