Article July 12, 1999 Issue

RESENTMENT HEALED

T. Jewell Collins

One day a family member's actions deeply disturbed me. Similar incidents had provoked much resentment in the past, and I knew I needed to heal my feelings about the situation. But I felt greatly wrought up and very far from God, far from even desiring healing. Then I recalled how earlier that day our dog had been healed of an inflamed eye through our family's prayers. That healing motivated me to want to handle this difficulty through prayer as well.

Immediately these words from the Christian Science Hymnal came to mind: "He holds us perfect in His love,/And we His image bear" (No. 144). I just clung to this thought. I reasoned that if I was held perfect in God's love and bore His image, He would shield me from anything attempting to mar that image, including indulging in unloving thoughts. I quietly sang the hymn, gaining strength from that phrase in particular. Gradually, peace replaced resentment and self-pity. Soon I was able to resume the dinner preparations, lovingly adding the finishing touches which earlier, when I was upset, I had resolved not to do.

When the family member who had so innocently offended me came in, expressing much joy and love, I was genuinely able to respond in kind.

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