Ephesians 4:26-27 "Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil."
Bitterness corrupts the heart. God warns us to not let the sun go down on our anger. How wise is that verse? He is warning us of the hurt that will come when we keep bitterness in our hearts. I have realized how much bitterness I am holding in lately. I have also realized how much it controls my life. I always complain about how unhappy I am because of others. Is it really others who make me unhappy? I have come to realize that even if someone does something wrong to me, it is my choice of how it will effect me. I can wallow in the hurt they have caused me or I can forgive them.
God has helped me to forgive others this week. I feel like He has given me peace. My father is another matter though. I am struggling to let go of the bitterness I have towards Him. On Sunday I was talking to an older women about it. I told her how I did not want my father to come home because I would be bitter towards him. She replied saying how awesome it would be if we welcomed my father with open arms. What a miracle that would be! I want the Lord to give me strength to open my arms for my father. I do not want bitterness to consume me.
When someone is unkind to me, I usually fire back with even more hurtful words. When someone points the finger, I point the finger back. I defend myself. God teaches us to turn the other cheek though. Instead of saying why I'm not a horrible person, I need to admit my faults. I should not defend myself with words. I should let my actions defend me. When someone accuses me of something I need to admit my faults and move on. Who am I to judge them? Why do I have a right to point the finger?
Lord help me to hold my tongue in my anger. Help me to let Your light shine. Give me the fire to glorify You.
Emily
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1 comment:
Amen! this is such a hard concept to grasp and it's even harder to carry it out! i was just reviewing the sunday school lesson for tomorrow at my church for jr. high. (i'm a small group leader on sundays for about 8 jr. high girls) this week we're talking about the beatitude "meek". nowdays when we hear the word "meek" we often think of like cowardly or shy. but the biblical meaning is really very different. In Matthew 26:49-56 it talks about the night Judas betrayed Jesus. this is a perfect example of meekness. even though Jesus had every right not to be taken away and even had the power to protect himself...He willingly let the Pharisees lead him away. and then later on when Pilot questions him, Jesus doesn't even attempt to defend himself!?! can you believe it?? Jesus, who is perfect and righteous and who totally does NOT deserve this punishment, doesn't even try to defend himself!
so ya. anyways....i really wasn't going to make this be a long comment, but you have such good things that you blog about..i just can't help it! ;)
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