To the Person Longing to Let Go of Resentment

Dear Seeker of Peace,

Seeing their picture, watching from afar–or perhaps even up-close–and all you can feel is the deep seeded urge to find fault in them. Everything inside you churns with feelings that eat you from the inside–and now it shows.

You long for peace with yourself. They are the ones who hurt you, right? Yet somehow, your resentment feels much worse than what they did. It’s turning you into someone you don’t recognize anymore.

But what you feel isn’t hate–it’s lost love. Perhaps one-side, rejected love. Perhaps lonely, empty, disappointed love. Perhaps love that started off so strong, but fizzled or exploded and lays burnt, like your frayed expectations.

You never wanted to feel this way. Your love started off so beautiful, perhaps even reflective of the love Jesus extends for us to share. But now, it is broken. The only thing you feel is pain.

It’s pain and not hate because deep down inside, you still care very much. Somehow, seeing their name pop up in your notifications still brings a smile to your face. But even your smile feels broken. Used. Betrayed.

It’s okay to hurt.

It’s okay to cry.

It’s even okay to be upset.

But don’t let their mistake or insensitivity destroy who you are and who you are meant to be. It isn’t your fault that they hurt you, but it’s your choice to let it break you.

You are stronger than this. Strength doesn’t come in ignoring feelings; it comes from not letting those feelings control you.

We weren’t made to be bitter. We weren’t made to be vengeful. And we certainly weren’t made to hate–or whatever this is.

But we also weren’t made for seeking love from the wrong people. There is only one person who can satisfy this deep desire and make you whole again: Jesus.

His love will follow you all the days of your life and never leave you nor forsake you.

You will always be precious in His eyes.

Love,

Hannah

My flesh and my heart may fail,

But God is the strength of my heart

and my portion forever.

Psalm 73:26