How Hidden Resentment Will Harden Your Heart

Open the Bible UK Daily

“They did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.”

Mark 6:52

Some struggles in the Christian life come further down the track. You experience things that you cannot understand, and you find resentment toward Jesus growing. Here are four circumstances that can lead to hidden resentment:

1. When you are grieving.

“Among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist” (Mat. 11:11).

These were Jesus’ words, but now John has been brutally murdered. How could Jesus allow this? Pain and loss provoke questions that can build resentment.

2. When you are exhausted.

“He said to them, ‘Come away by yourselves...’ For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat” (Mark 6:31).

At last, the disciples are going to get some relief! But notice what happens next: the people “ran there on foot… and got there ahead of them” (6:33). Proverbs says, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick” (13:12).

3. When you are confused.

"His disciples came to him and said ... send them away to go… and buy themselves something to eat” (Mark 6:36).

John dies in prison, and Jesus provides an unnecessary meal from a few loaves and fishes. This seems like the wrong miracle! Remember, the purpose of Jesus’ miracles was not so much to meet human need as to display His glory.

4. When you are disappointed.

“He made his disciples get into the boat…” (Mark 6:45).

The disciples want to bask in the glory of the miracle, but Jesus made them get into the boat. They find themselves “making headway painfully, for the wind was against them” (6:48).

Are you feeling resentment toward God? How are you going to deal with it?