The Hidden Traps: The Trap of Resentment

Resentment is poison you drink hoping someone else will suffer. It is carrying around anger toward a person, a situation, or even the past. And the longer you carry it, the heavier it gets.

The thing about resentment is it never hurts the other person as much as it hurts you. They may not even know you are carrying it. Meanwhile you relive the offense over and over, letting it live rent free in your head.

The Stoics taught that we cannot control what others do, only how we respond. Holding on to resentment is refusing to respond wisely. Forgiveness does not mean excusing bad behavior. It means refusing to let someone else’s actions keep ruling your mind.

Resentment weighs you down. Letting it go frees you.

Takeaway: resentment chains you to the past, forgiveness sets you free.

Extra Credit: This one is tough. Think of a situation or a person that you are currently holding resentment towards. Forgive it/them. That’s it, just forgive the situation, the person, and yourself, and let that stone go. Let me know if you do this, I am curious who is willing to try.