Is Resentment Still Alive?

As I picked up my lipstick from the vanity counter, I opened it up. The lipstick was broken off. I immediately summoned Gracie and asked her if she broke my lipstick off. She sheepishly admitted she did and said she didn't mean to when she was playing in my makeup. Although it was one of my favorite colors, I thought to myself, "It's just a tube of lipstick, for goodness sake!" Gracie asked me if I was mad at her. "No, I'm not mad. I wish you wouldn't play in my makeup, but I forgive you," I told her. Gracie patted me on he back and said, "I forgive you, too, Mommy."

Forgiving for small infractions like this isn't hard. The hardest acts to forgive often leave resentment behind. How many times have you said you had forgiven someone only to still resent them to this day? I admit, I've had to deal with that, too. I have a good memory! Although I may have forgiven someone for something they said or did, I don't really have much compassion on them next time I see them, less I get hurt again.

Mark 11:25-26 says, "And whenever I stand praying, if I have anything against anyone, I forgive him and let it drop, in order that my Father Who is in heaven may also forgive me my own failings and shortcomings and let them drop. But if I do not forgive, neither will my Father in heaven forgive my failings and shortcomings." When you "let it drop" you leave it and let it go. If we have truly forgiven, the resentment should not be there. If there is still resentment, have we really forgiven that person? If so, maybe we need to try again.