Ten Rules for Ending Resentment

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Ten Rules for Ending Resentment

by NORMAN VINCENT PEALE

FIRST: When anyone hurts you, put "spiritual iodine" on the wound at once. That is, pray hard about it. If you do not do this it will fester. SECOND: If resentment has hardened in your thoughts, apply grievance drainage. That is, open your mind and let the grievance flow out. THIRD: Do this by unburdening yourself to a trusted counselor or write a letter to the person against whom you have the resentment. Then tear it up and and while holding the pieces in your hand pray for the person and forgive them. FOURTH: Become fully aware of the harm resentment can do to you, even to making you ill. Think of that whenever a hate thought comes. FIFTH: Don't stop with forgiving a time or two. Do it, if necessary, seventy times seven---490 times to be literal. SIXTH: Thinking about forgiving is not enough. You must come to a specific moment when you say "With God's help I now forgive." SEVENTH: Repeat the Lord's Prayer inserting your offender's name, "Forgive me my trespasses as I forgive..........." EIGHTH: Pray for the other person, asking specific blessings for them, especially concerning matters which have previously annoyed you the most. NINTH: Speak in a kindly and complimentary manner and as often as possible about the person against whom you harbor antagonism. TENTH: Make a sincere study of the personality factors which created an unhappy relationship so that the "mistake pattern" in yourself may not recur.