I have been betrayed by a member of my own family who slandered me to our other family members, causing others to look down on me and confrontations. It took me years to forget it. But there is a saying that time heals all wounds. We will be free from pain if we forgive. If the Lord can forgive us, why can’t we? So I learned to forgive and pray for her. Now we’re fine, we talk, we laugh and we bond, but not like before. There is a small gap. I forgive, but the trust is still in the process.
— Maria Lara Vanessa D. Aradanas
I resent my husband’s attitudes that sometimes hurt my feelings, like drinking alcohol, coming home late at night, hurling hurtful words at me that cause arguments between us. However, for the sake of our children, I remain patient and enduring. My strength comes from my prayers and my love for our children, which makes me stronger as a mother, wife and woman. Love and understanding and faith in our God are the reasons our family is still intact.
—Jesseca J. Molina
Sometimes anger and resentment are unavoidable. For example, I was betrayed by a close relative. He cheated me out of my hard-earned savings and made up stories that ruined my image. I was deeply hurt. During this time, I could not concentrate on my work. I lost my appetite, my sleep was disturbed and my health deteriorated. But I did not lose my faith in God, I maintained my trust and confidence in him. At the right time, I was able to get up and tell myself not to drown in misery. I lifted up and surrendered everything to the Lord and prayed for my oppressors. I ignored all the negative stories they posted about me on Facebook. I remained humble and did not retaliate against them. I relied on God’s Divine Grace as my source of joy and strength. I have forgiven them and I feel so light. Our Lord is merciful and did not ignore the cries of my heart. At present I feel so blessed for having a good and generous employer.
— Tita B. Molina
The grudge I carried in my heart when I was young was that I was born into a poor family. I kept asking myself why my family was so poor and sometimes I blamed my parents and our God.
But as time went by, I matured with the help of my mother, who used to take me to our chapel. It opened my mind that there is a real God who helps us and healed me during those times when I was sick. I realised that there’s a true God in our hearts who protects us and provides for us in our lives. All the resentments I had before are gone and as I surrendered everything to God’s will, my heart became at peace.
—Rose Pines
As we celebrate the 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines. The Chaplaincy to Filipino Migrants organises an on-line talk every Tuesday at 9.00pm. You can join us at:
https://www.Facebook.com/CFM-Gifted-to-give-101039001847033
Life has its ups and downs and feeling and experiencing resentment is common in our daily lives. I may feel angry or disappointed about something, or even feel rejected or neglected, which causes me real frustration, but life must go on. I must face each day of my life with full strength and courage. I seek the Lord God and take time to reflect and see what life can bring me. I ask for his guidance because I know that he’s always there to listen to me and to guide me on the right path and not to harm me.
As Father Jun Jacobe said, life has an entrance and an exit, when we fall or are disappointed, we don’t have to stop, we continue and look for the exit that will lead us to our goal.
— Leah Flor Delos Santos
Being betrayed by the person I love the most was one of the things that hurt me the most and I found it the hardest to forgive. But God’s love melted my hard heart. I am forever grateful that he enlightened me and planted the seed of forgiveness. We all have the choice to make space for acceptance or healing and not let resentment prevent us from living in the present. Prayer is my weapon to fight this resentment and seek inner peace. This experience has brought me closer to God and allowed my faith to grow.
— Rechie Joy Songcog
