A Quick Path to Emotional Freedom

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Title: Clearing the Resentment Folder: A Journey to Emotional Freedom

Have you ever thought about resentment as an emotion you might still be holding on to? I never really considered it until recently. I always believed I had let go of past resentments, forgiven those who wronged me, and moved on. But as I delved deeper into my emotional needs this month—particularly my need for Security and Certainty—I uncovered something surprising: I was still holding on to resentment in ways I hadn’t noticed before.

Resentment: What It Really Means

It was a definition I stumbled upon in the Cambridge Dictionary that truly opened my eyes. It defined "resentful" as:

“Feeling angry because you have been forced to accept someone or something you do not like.”

Reading this hit me like a ton of bricks. It immediately brought me back to childhood, to those times when I was told to do things I didn’t want to do, even though they were good for me. Maybe it was eating vegetables, doing my homework, or following rules I didn’t quite understand at the time. Each of those moments, no matter how small, added a drop of resentment to my emotional "bucket."

As the years went on, more and more of these moments piled up—times I felt forced to do things, or accept things, that I didn’t really want to. And even though I thought I had long forgiven and moved on, I began to realize that, like a Tear Bottle, many of those drops of resentment had been quietly sitting in my brain, affecting how I responded to life’s challenges.

The "Resentment Folder" in Our Minds

Take a moment to think about your own life. Have there been moments—big or small—where you’ve felt forced to accept something that you didn’t like? Whether it was an uncomfortable situation at work, a decision made by a family member, or a situation where you just had to go along with the flow, all of those experiences contribute to that "resentment folder" in our minds.

Now, imagine how many times those small resentments have built up over the years. Multiply that by your age, and it’s no wonder that resentment can feel like such a heavy burden. It’s not just the big events, but those daily moments of dissatisfaction that we often overlook.

Time to Clear Out the Folder

The good news is that we don’t have to live with that resentment forever. There’s a way to clear out the folder in our minds and let go of those heavy emotions. The quickest way I’ve found is through a process of reflection and forgiveness.

1. Reflect: Start by thinking back to those moments when you felt forced to accept something you didn’t like. Write them down. Get them out of your mind and onto paper.

2. Forgive: Forgiving doesn’t mean excusing someone else’s actions—it means releasing yourself from carrying the burden. To forgive means that ____ is FOR God, therefore, GIVE it to Him. Once you’ve written out those memories, give them to God. Release the hold they have on your heart.

3. Let Go: Every time a memory or feeling resurfaces, remind yourself: “I’ve given this to God. It’s no longer mine to hold.” Let God take care of it, and allow yourself to move forward without the weight of past resentment.

A New Sense of Freedom

I can already feel a sense of freedom and lightness as I’ve started this practice. It’s not an overnight fix, but each day, I find myself carrying less emotional weight. I’m becoming more aware of the times when resentment tries to sneak back in, and I’m learning to let go more easily.

I encourage you to try this, too. Take some time to reflect on your own "resentment folder" and clear it out. Write, forgive, and give it to God. You’ll be amazed at the peace that follows.

Remember, healing isn’t about ignoring the past; it’s about releasing its hold on your present. And when you do, you’ll find more room for joy, peace, and emotional clarity.