Unresolved resentment shades the truth

Wednesday Word

Driving Your Thoughts Instead of Letting Them Drive You, Part 4
 
She replayed the disagreement over and over in her mind. Her thoughts of frustration moved like critters scurrying around and around, stuck, like a truck in the mud, unable to move towards understanding.
 
Thanks for joining us today for Part 4 of Driving your Thoughts instead of Letting Them Drive You with Kim-Evinda and Trench Classes United. If thoughts were a car, where would they be driving you today? Have you ever been stuck in a conflict, unable to understand the other person’s point of view? Today’s blog is meant to encourage you up and out of it.
 
She couldn’t believe what they had said, had done what they did. And try as she might to think of a way that she could have steered the final disagreement toward resolution, she hadn’t been successful. In fact, as she replayed the last couple of interactions, it had been obvious then, as it was now, that there was built up resentment used to defend their attitudes, actions, and beliefs, all of which were completely out of her control.
 
She desperately wanted to make it better, to un-hear what she had heard, not just the words but the attitude with which they were spoken, but she couldn’t. She could only run them through the eight-point thought test found in Philippians 4:8 to get unstuck, own what was hers, and set her thoughts on higher ground:
 
She began to go thru them, inviting Abba into her time: “Whatever is true.” “Well, they believed their words were true, Lord, she cried out.
“Unresolved resentment shades the truth.”
His answer brought some clarity. “Well, they definitely believe they were/are in the right,” she continued.
“It’s not about who’s right but what is right. As they seek me in this matter, I will speak to them as I am speaking to you.”
She continued thru the eight-point thought test: “Well, neither of us were being pure in our words, and certainly the way it was all handled wasn’t admirable, excellent or praiseworthy, so now what, Lord”? “Do not add to the conflict by speaking about them in a way that is not true, pure, admirable, excellent or praiseworthy!”
Ouch!!
 
While His admonishment stung, its truth settled into her soul and settled her thoughts. Yes, this conversation with God and His Word had taken her thoughts to a higher place, no longer stuck like a truck in the mud on the last conversations with her friends. God’s Word had steered her clear of any detour of resentment which had begun because of their unresolved resentments and this unresolved conflict.  She smiled, knowing that somehow, some way, He would resolve it if she stayed out of it by not adding to it.
 
Friend, if you’re stuck amid an unresolved conflict, can I encourage you to take this eight-point thought test found in His Love Letters to you and me?  There’s a guarantee that His Words will not come back void!

Love,
Kim-Evinda