Refuse Bitterness

Another man dies in the bitterness of his soul, Never having eaten with pleasure. Job 21:25

Many times in life some have hurt us, let us down or betrayed us. We are all human and capable of doing great harm to each other. I remember watching some of my own children when they were young treat each other with such hate and anger that it scared me to imagine what they must be feeling. The emotions of the hated and rejected child and the emotions of the angry and vengeful child. Adults are no different and can cause each other a great deal of hurt and bitterness.

All of us have been disappointed in some way by others and all of us have disappointed others. There are plenty of people to blame for the pain and hurt we feel and we are to blame for the pain and hurt caused to others.

Some people have no happiness at all because of all the hurt and pain that others have caused them so they live and die with bitter hearts. We have to make that decision in life whether we will be happy or bitter because we can't be both. Until we kick bitterness out we won't be happy. Are we going to be bitter or better? It's a choice.

This picture was taken when I visited Texas, in January 2010.

Recovering Resentment

 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! Genesis 45:4

Life is full of resentment and wounds when people hurt us instead of being a blessing to us. How we heal is more up to us than the ones who have wounded us. We have to learn how to recover from our resentment with God's help. 

Resentment is like cancer where it starts out small and needs to be released and removed immediately. If not, it will eat away at us and eventually destroy us.

Resentment focuses on the past. It replays the past over and over. It won't change the past but if not dealt with it can certainly have long-lasting negative effects on our future. A happy, healthy life cannot be lived holding on to the past and certainly not holding on to our resentment.

Joseph had every right to be resentful of his brothers when they sold him into slavery but he recognized God's presence in his life even when things went so terribly wrong. Despite all that was happening to him for so many years he trusted that God loved him and would be there for him. After many years, God blessed him and reconciled him to his family. It is impossible to have love and forgiveness where there is resentment. 

 “So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household, and ruler of all Egypt. Genesis 45:8

 This picture was taken from my hotel window in Atlanta 

at night on January 2014.

Step By Step

He does not lead me year by year
Nor even day by day.
But step by step my path unfolds;
My Lord directs my way.

Tomorrow's paths I do not know,
I only know this minute;
But He will say, "This is the way,
By faith now walk ye in it."

And I am glad that it is so.
Today's enough to bear;
And when tomorrow comes, His grace
Shall far exceed its care.

What need to worry then, or fret?
The God who gave His Son
Holds all my moments in His hand
And gives them, one by one.

-Barbara C. Ryberg

This picture was taken of my grandkids feeding the birds, in March 2015.