Sober Thoughts

Our Number 1 Offender

Resentment: The Fire Raging in Each of Us

David Daniel
Sober Thoughts
Published in
3 min readJun 19, 2023

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There is a fire raging inside each of us. Resentment burns.
Resentment is a fire raging inside each of us. [Photo by Issy Bailey on Unsplash]

If you’ve been in the world of recovery for more than a day, you’ve probably heard the saying, “Resentment is the number one offender.” This statement serves as a stark warning of the dangers of harboring resentment. But what does this mean, and why is resentment such a significant threat on our journey to sobriety?

The Nature of Resentment

To begin with, let’s clarify what we mean by resentment. It’s a bitter indignation at having been treated unfairly. It’s that festering anger or disappointment we hold onto when we feel wronged or slighted. While resentment may feel justified, especially when we believe we’ve been wronged, it’s a dangerous emotion to nurse in recovery.

Why Resentment is a Threat to Recovery

Resentment is like carrying a burning coal in our hearts, intending to throw it at someone else, but we’re the ones getting burned. It’s a destructive force that can erode our…

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Sober Thoughts
Sober Thoughts

Published in Sober Thoughts

A walk through thoughts and focus areas for those following the path of sobriety.

David Daniel
David Daniel

Written by David Daniel

Exploring Sobriety Since 1994. A bit old school, sometimes horribly wrong. The 12th step ensures that I’m sober today.