New to recovery, many of us have had difficulty recognizing our resentment. So there we sat in front of our Fourth Step and thought back and forth until we came to the conclusion, we on line just no feelings of resentment. Maybe we convinced ourselves that we weren't that sick after all.

Such unintentional denial of our resentment is a result of the conditioning of our addiction. Most of our feelings were buried, very deeply. After some time in recovery, a new understanding develops. Our most deeply buried feelings begin to surface, and resentments we thought we didn't have come to the surface.

As we examine this resentment, we may want to hold on to some of it, especially if we believe it to be "justified." But we should remember that all resentment is a burden, whether "justified" or not.

As we become more aware of our own part, our responsibility to let go also increases. We no longer need to hold on to our grudges. We want to get rid of what is hindering and free ourselves to heal.