God Wants to Make the Bitter in My Life Better

In review of Romans 8:28 it says, “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (NIV).

Today’s verse is Romans 8:28. In it I’m reminded that I know that God causes everything to work together for my good because I love Him and have responded to his calling for his purpose for me.

I see and have come to accept that God works in "everything", not just isolated incidents, for my good. This does not mean that all that happens to me is good. Evil is prevalent in this fallen world, but God is able to turn every circumstance around for my long-range good. God is not working to make me happy, but rather to fulfill his purpose through me. I can claim this because I love and have heard and responded to the calling from God. Because of my relationship, I'm able to have a new perspective, a new mind-set. I'm learning to trust in God, not in life's treasures, for my security will be in heaven and not here on earth. My faith is being strengthened each day. I learn to not waver in pain and persecution, as I know that God is with me.

I’m a broken person, imperfect. Sometimes I hurt others intentionally or unintentionally. Life isn’t fair. Innocent people suffer. Everyone has experienced unfair or prejudicial treatment in some way.

How I respond to it matters. If I start dwelling on it, stew, spew, and worry, my soul takes a hit. Grudges over what others have done to me will hurt my soul, impairing my thoughts, emotions, and decisions. Resentment, bitterness, retaliation, and revenge will damage me.

His Word tells me that He is going to even the score. Judgment is coming one day. People who were mistreated, misjudged, or treated unfairly will receive justice. But meanwhile it's not my job to avenge myself: “Never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God, for he has said that he will repay those who deserve it” (Romans 12:19 TLB).

Unaddressed grudges blind me to how much good God has done in my life. I become blind to the truth. I become blind to the needs of people around me. My soul will not be restored until I let it go. That’s what Jesus wants to help me do. God wants to restore my soul, taking the bitter things in my life and turn them into better things.

Romans 8:28 says, “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (NIV).

Of course, not everything that happens to me is good. But can God take the bad things people do to me and use them for good? God will take my sins and mistakes and bring good out of them. God can take my own weaknesses and my damaged will and work good even then. Anybody can bring good out of good, but God specializes in bringing good out of bad.

God turns my hurts into holiness. He turns my wounds into wisdom. He uses offenses to remove my pretenses.

When I believe that God can bring good things out of very bad things, he will begin to rebuild my soul, my broken thoughts, my broken emotions, and my broken will.

Bottom Line:

If we love God and live for his purposes, he will work everything that happens for our good.

What this means to me:

Because I love God and live for his purposes, he will take the things in my life that are bad and work them out for my good.

I thank you God for the reminder that you will use what happens in my life to build me for your purposes. I just need to be aware that you have a purpose for me and that I should be looking for where you want me to be and what you want me to do. I need to quiet my mind enough to hear your voice speaking and guiding me. This morning I pray that I notice you working and your promptings on what you want me to do, my purpose. I also ask again today for your wisdom and guidance in how I handle the work tasks and responsibilities I have, for leading my team and for how I interact with others. These things I pray in your Son Jesus name, amen!

The Freedom of the Cross

In review of Romans 6:6 it says, “We know that our old life died with Christ on the cross so that our sinful selves would have no power over us”

Bottom Line:

We know that our old selves were nailed to the cross with Jesus. This was done, so that we would no longer be slaves of sin.

What this means to me:

I know that my old sinful self was crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power over my life. I am no longer a slave to sin.

Today’s verse from Romans 6:6 says, “We know that our old life died with Christ on the cross so that our sinful selves would have no power over us” (NCV). But what does “our sinful selves would have no power over us” mean? I’ve learned that It means that my natural inherent inclination is to do the wrong thing.

My natural inclination when I’m hurt is to hurt back. My natural inclination when someone says something bad against me is say something bad against them and hold on to it and never forgive. And, all of the things that I’m naturally inclined to do actually make it worse.

But I can break that bondage to bitterness, that bondage to guilt, that bondage to resentment, that bondage to worry. I can keep from becoming slaves to the past and hurtful memories. I can choose to forgive.

The cross has the power to free me from grudges and grief and resentment. There is no other way to let go of these emotions weighing me down than the cross. Jesus on the cross broke the power of sin and death and bondage in my life.

What follows is a suggested prayer I got from Rick Warren to use when I need to forgive a person whose offense has planted a seed of bitterness in me:

“Father, only you understand how much I’ve been hurt by this person. I don’t want to carry the pain for another second. I don’t want to be a bitter person. But I need your grace and the power of the cross to release my hurt and to forgive those who’ve hurt me. This is the turning point. First, I need to experience your forgiveness. You know all the ways I’ve hurt others, and I’m so sorry for my sins. Jesus, thank you for dying for me. I accept your grace and forgiveness, and I need it daily. Today I’m turning to you, and I’m choosing to forgive the way you have forgiven me. Every time the memory comes back, I’ll forgive that person again until the pain is gone. Heal my heart with your grace. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

Hurt, Frustration And Fear Can Be Replaced With Jesus’ Love, Peace and Power.

In review of Proverbs 29:25 it says, “The fear of human opinion disables; trusting in God protects you from that.”

Bottom Line:

The fear and concern of what others think of you is dangerous, however trusting in the Lord makes you safe.

What this means to me:

It’s dangerous to get caught up in the fear of or being a coward to what others think about me. I should trust God and be more concerned about what he thinks, as he loves me unconditionally.

This means that in order to get control of anger, I must base my identity on Jesus and understand that he loves me unconditionally, that I’m his, that I’m valuable, and that he has a purpose and plan for my life.

I could build my identity in some many material things such as my job, my relationships, and my possessions. However, any of these can crumble or fall away easily. So building my identity on anything other than my relationship with God, will only make me struggle with insecurity. This insecurity can be at the root of my anger. So, until I can start feeling secure about myself, people are going to be able to push my buttons. When I know who I am and who I belong to, people won’t be able to push my buttons. They won’t be able to get to me. What I’m learning is that anger and insecurity go together. The more insecure I feel, the angrier I’ll be.

The Bible says in Proverbs 29:25, “The fear of human opinion disables; trusting in God protects you from that” (MSG).

When I get angry, my mouth begins to reveal what’s inside my heart. Here are some things to keep in mind: A harsh tongue reveals an angry heart. A negative tongue reveals a fearful heart. A boasting tongue reveals an insecure heart. An overactive tongue reveals an unsettled heart. A judgmental tongue reveals a guilty heart. A critical tongue reveals a bitter heart. A filthy tongue reveals an impure heart.

On the flip side, an encouraging tongue reveals a happy heart, a gentle tongue reveals a loving heart, and a controlled tongue reveals a peaceful heart.

These points are important also for understanding others and what might be going on inside of them.

Ultimately, a heart transplant is what is needed to get rid of any anger problem. Fortunately, God specialized in this. It was called salvation! Through salvation God gave me a brand new heart and a brand new identity. This means that I don’t need to find my identity in my job, bank account, or relationships, because ultimately I find my identity in what God says about me.

Jesus can heal the three things that cause anger: hurt, frustration, and fear. Jesus can heal my hurting heart with his love. Jesus can replace my frustrated heart with his peace. Jesus can replace my insecure heart with his power.

Just like picking up a crying baby and holding it close so that it feels warm and secure, helps it stop crying (stops being angry.) Likewise, when I feel secure and accepted in Jesus Christ, my anger is going to dissipate.

Today I pray: “God, I admit that I have a problem with my anger from time to time. I let other people push my buttons, I try to get even, and often I don’t think before speaking. I’m asking for your help. Help me to reflect before reacting. Help me to learn to release my anger appropriately. Help me to find my identity completely in you. I open myself completely to you. Come into my life. Save me. Make the changes that only you can make. In your name I pray. Amen.”