On Sunday, our pastor gave a great (and hard to hear) sermon. It was on forgiveness {{ouch}}. Or phrased another way, it was on the effects of holding onto bitterness {{double ouch}}. Here in my own words is what I walked away with yesterday….
Bitterness will consume our other emotions. It will deplete us of our emotional resources.
ĆĀ Are we good stewards of our emotional resources?
I don’t know about anyone else but I can truthfully say that I have never, ever regretted the times I have offered forgiveness to another person. Not once. In fact, I would go so far as to say the benefits far outweighed anything that I might have thought I would gain holding onto a grudge. And if we are truly honest, we all think we are gaining something by holding the grudge or we would not flat out hold onto it.ĆĀ Just saying. Been there, done that, nothing to be gained. Trust me.
But here is what I have been realizing the last few weeks…..
We all have a purpose in life to which God has called us. We truly do. The thing is we will need all our resources to fulfill that purpose and His calling. He has equipped us with everything we need to live out our purpose. Our resources have limits and can only stretch so far. Think of it like your household budget. There is only so much money to expend in a week. If I choose to go spend all my available money on one particular thing, I may not have enough money to go food shopping. It is why we make a budget and strive to stick to it.
Well it truly is the same with bitterness. It will get you off course of the main purpose for your life because you will waste your emotional resources on something that was not worth it.
Jesus actually warned us of this very thing:
“For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you. They would say, “There’s the person who started that building and couldn’t afford to finish it!” (Luke 14: 28-30, NLT)
Bitterness will waylay you.
It will ambush your purpose in life. And the thing is, bitterness is pretty patient. It will stay hidden in the depths of your heart.ĆĀ It will work covertly and accost suddenly. Bitterness will cost you. It may even cost you everything.
Jesus forgives each one of us every time we come to Him with a repentant heart. He will never turn us away. May we also offer forgiveness as freely as He. For we will never look more like Him than we offer forgiveness to others.
May we use our emotional resources wisely.
Forgive.
Today I joined …. Unite and Tell Me A Story and Soli Deo Gloria and Titus 2sdays and Momma Notes and Titus 2 Tuesday and Teach Me Tues. and Women Helping Women .
I have been dealing with bitterness I didn’t even know I had in the last year and a half.
I was shocked at the severity of it when it raised its ugly head.
God knew it was there however, and we have been working on it.
He has been healing one day at a time. Amen!
It can stay hidden in the deep depths of our hearts for a long time! Just like you said.
That is why God allowed some uncomfortable circumstances
in my life to bring it to the surface.
I don’t want to go around that mountain again, but I am sure glad it is over. For now! LOL!
I am sure He has more to uncover in time!
More healing and OH YES, more blessing! Double Amen!
Thanks for sharing Joanne, so often we speak of the “good” and don’t want to talk about the not so good.
We need to share from our weaknesses as well as our strengths.
Well rounded I once heard this called years ago from a very seasoned Christian.
Blessings to you!
Gypsy – Like you, I have always been grateful when God revealed something hidden in my heart. At times, it may be painful to deal with but it is worth it in the end. You are such an encourager & a true blessing!
I’ve read about it in a book written by Billy Graham. Bitterness is a joy – robber. I myself suffer more from fear and anxiety. Thank you for this honest blog!
I love this and it is so very true! I could write volumes about bitterness and what a robber it is. I refuse to waste even one minute of my energy on it anymore. Great post and perspective!
Blessings!
Thank you for stopping & sharing as well.
Dear Joanne
Oh, I think we have all heard the quote that unforgiveness is like poison, but you are the one drinking it. I tried hard in my life to forgive before I understood grace, but could not forgive from my heart. Once I did, forgiveness has become something our Lord does in and through me. Like Paul advises the Galatians that they have started their walk with God through grace, why would they want to go on in the flesh!
Happy forgiving!!!
Mia
Pastor used the “poison” quote in his sermon š (“Bitterness is expecting to drink poison & for everyone else to die.”)
I love these digested sermons where you get the meat and chew it up for us! Thank you for sharing with us here at “Tell Me a Story.”
Thank you for hosting the linkup & being so faithful to visiting with us all. You are a blessing, Hazel!
Loved this post today, and so needed to hear it reiterated! Passing on the blessing with a share to my Forgiveness book study….. Heart Hugs, Shelly <3
Thank you for visiting with me as well š It is always appreciated & fun to get to “know” who is on the other side of the screen! Blessings!