Healing Hurt and Bitter Resentment

Before I share this month’s articles, I want to invite all Colorado readers to the Catholic Women’s Conference of Denver Mini-Retreat on April 18th! I’m really looking forward to it. After a season of penance and fasting, we’ll be in a time of Easter hope and joy, reflecting on how the Holy Spirit can help us sanctify our days.

https://denvercatholicconference.com/

My two articles this month are about forgiveness and resentment, two things I have historically struggled with. But there’s hope!

Harsh words can irritate your soul like a parasitic intruder to an oyster. Is there any hope for healing and forgiveness? Here’s how the Holy Spirit is like the nacre layer, able to transform suffering into a treasure.

Just like poison, resentments may seem harmless in small doses but can build up in the system to become lethal.

Resentment means there is a toxic buildup of bitterness and frustration from unmet expectations, lack of communication, attention or respect. The root of resentment is often a valid, unmet need. But instead of working to get the need met, we wall up, arm our defenses or get ready to attack. . .

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Thank you for reading! I hope these articles are a helpful aide to your Lent. My Lent has been fruitful not so much in sticking to my resolutions, but in seeing my glaring weaknesses and my need for God. I am sensing the temptations and the inner voices, and awareness is a good first step, right? Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

I’m preparing for a talk at a mom’s group next week, getting our summer homeschool conference planning underway, and preparing for the Women’s Conference mini-retreat. That’s all the extra energy I have right now but I’ll be back in March with some more reflections. God bless you!

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