Take A Load Off

Read Proverbs 27

A stone is heavy and sand is weighty, but the resentment caused by a fool is even heavier.

Proverbs 27:3

When someone hurts or annoys us, our immediate reaction is to focus on the offense. In our resentment, the focal point remains on the other person, not us. The proverb reverses this progression. It chooses not to detail the fool’s specific actions, but instead to describe the effects of resentment in our own lives.

Resentment, or bitterness, weighs us down. Once we’ve chosen to resent someone’s actions, consuming anger becomes our only alternative. Ironically, we often feel we’re teaching our opposition a lesson or hurting them in our bitterness. The opposite is true. We end up oppressing only ourselves.

When we’re angry, forgiveness might seem like condoning bad behavior. However, forgiveness really means letting go of our own bitterness––essentially, taking a load off. From this beginning, God’s hand can begin to mend the relationship.

A WORD FOR TODAY

Offenses are heavy loads to carry.

Lord, when I am tempted to hold on to my resentment, help me to release it in forgiveness.