Sad headline? Yes, very sad. But even sadder than the headline is the fact that so many Christian people are bitter, bruised and broken, and they either don't want to or don't know how to do something about their situation.
Life is not fair, but God is good is one of many good phrases by Dr. Robert H. Schuller of the Chrystal Cathedral Ministries in California. Life is not fair. Let's just face it, things happen, people let us down, people desert us, a life and a lifestyle that we thought was stable and would last a lifetime, is shattered in a few seconds, and we're left with nothing.
Been there, done that? Ok. Then what? Settling for bitterness? That's what many people do when their life lies in ruins. And they end up bitter, bruised and broken.
The Bible talks very plainly against bitterness. And it's very clear from God's Word that it's poisenous (in the literal meaning of the word) to harbor bitterness. Take a look at these Scriptures, and you know what I mean;
"Does the fountain send from the same outlet sweet and bitter water? ... But if you have bitter envy in your heart and the desire to get the better of others, have no pride in this, talking falsely against what is true" (Jakob 3:11+14).
"So that there may not be among you any man or woman or family or tribe whose heart is turned away from the Lord our God today, to go after other gods and give them worship; or any root among you whose fruit is poison and bitter sorrow" (Deut.29:18).
"Looking with care to see that no man among you in his behaviour comes short of the grace of God; for fear that some bitter root may come up to be a trouble to you, and that some of you may be made unclean by it" (Hebr 12:15).
According to these few Scriptures, bitterness leads to lying, a falling away from God, a poisened life, bitter sorrow, coming short of the grace of God, uncleanness.
Let me ask you a simple question: Is what you've gone through worth all these negative and deadly consequences?
Ok, your husband left you for a younger woman. Your wife cheated on you while you were in the hospital, fighting for your life. You were laid off from work after 25 years of faithfully doing your job. You were treated unfairly by your parents. Etc., etc.. The list goes on. Life is not fair! Things happen to us.
However, what we do about what happens to us, determines what kind of people we become in life. Someone has said: Whatever territory you surrender, God will fill it with His glory. Whatever territory! Bitterness is a territory. There are reasons why people are bitter, but we don't have to stay that way. Even though life is not fair, God is good. And the Bible gives us the hope, comfort and strength we need to overcome our bitterness.
"God is our harbour and our strength, a very present help in trouble. For this cause we will have no fear, even though the earth is changed, and though the mountains are moved in the heart of the sea; Though its waters are sounding and troubled, and though the mountains are shaking with their violent motion. (Selah.) (Psalms 46:2-4).
God is my refuge when nothing or no-one else seems to be there for me. He is my very present help in times of need. Even though things happen, people desert me, I am left alone and no-one seems to care, God is my refuge. He cares. He never leaves me nor forsakes me. And because of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, where He bore not only my sicknesses, but my sins (including my bitterness), I can lay my bitterness on Him and He will fill me with His glory. I surrender my bitterness to Him, and He gives me His glory in return!
I like the thought of that swap. He gets my bitterness, I get His glory! Hallelujah!
Don't go another day bitter, bruised and broken. Let Jesus into your hurting soul, and He makes everything new!
Life is not fair, but God is good is one of many good phrases by Dr. Robert H. Schuller of the Chrystal Cathedral Ministries in California. Life is not fair. Let's just face it, things happen, people let us down, people desert us, a life and a lifestyle that we thought was stable and would last a lifetime, is shattered in a few seconds, and we're left with nothing.
Been there, done that? Ok. Then what? Settling for bitterness? That's what many people do when their life lies in ruins. And they end up bitter, bruised and broken.
The Bible talks very plainly against bitterness. And it's very clear from God's Word that it's poisenous (in the literal meaning of the word) to harbor bitterness. Take a look at these Scriptures, and you know what I mean;
"Does the fountain send from the same outlet sweet and bitter water? ... But if you have bitter envy in your heart and the desire to get the better of others, have no pride in this, talking falsely against what is true" (Jakob 3:11+14).
"So that there may not be among you any man or woman or family or tribe whose heart is turned away from the Lord our God today, to go after other gods and give them worship; or any root among you whose fruit is poison and bitter sorrow" (Deut.29:18).
"Looking with care to see that no man among you in his behaviour comes short of the grace of God; for fear that some bitter root may come up to be a trouble to you, and that some of you may be made unclean by it" (Hebr 12:15).
According to these few Scriptures, bitterness leads to lying, a falling away from God, a poisened life, bitter sorrow, coming short of the grace of God, uncleanness.
Let me ask you a simple question: Is what you've gone through worth all these negative and deadly consequences?
Ok, your husband left you for a younger woman. Your wife cheated on you while you were in the hospital, fighting for your life. You were laid off from work after 25 years of faithfully doing your job. You were treated unfairly by your parents. Etc., etc.. The list goes on. Life is not fair! Things happen to us.
However, what we do about what happens to us, determines what kind of people we become in life. Someone has said: Whatever territory you surrender, God will fill it with His glory. Whatever territory! Bitterness is a territory. There are reasons why people are bitter, but we don't have to stay that way. Even though life is not fair, God is good. And the Bible gives us the hope, comfort and strength we need to overcome our bitterness.
"God is our harbour and our strength, a very present help in trouble. For this cause we will have no fear, even though the earth is changed, and though the mountains are moved in the heart of the sea; Though its waters are sounding and troubled, and though the mountains are shaking with their violent motion. (Selah.) (Psalms 46:2-4).
God is my refuge when nothing or no-one else seems to be there for me. He is my very present help in times of need. Even though things happen, people desert me, I am left alone and no-one seems to care, God is my refuge. He cares. He never leaves me nor forsakes me. And because of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, where He bore not only my sicknesses, but my sins (including my bitterness), I can lay my bitterness on Him and He will fill me with His glory. I surrender my bitterness to Him, and He gives me His glory in return!
I like the thought of that swap. He gets my bitterness, I get His glory! Hallelujah!
Don't go another day bitter, bruised and broken. Let Jesus into your hurting soul, and He makes everything new!
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