Wednesday, September 24, 2008
I'm Keeping It...
my joy that is! The other night I came upon a great message that really hit home with me. It was about keeping your joy and not giving it away to others who offend or hurt you. This isn't a new concept but something we all need to be reminded of.
It is one of the most destructive and dangerous of all human emotions and if not dealt with, will spiritually destroy the person who has it.
* It can rob you of your peace and joy.
* It is an open door for Satan to control you life.
* It can lead to the lost of good friends.
* It can hurt or destroy you relationship with your family, your wife and can even lead to the breakup of your home.
* It make peace and harmony impossible.
* There can be no true biblical love where it exists.
* It destroys any true relationship with the Lord and will keep you from growing in the Lord.
* It will defeat you and ruin your life and the lives of those around you.
What is it? It is the sin of bitterness.
Definition: "adjective" 1 having a sharp, pungent taste or smell; not sweet. 2 causing pain or unhappiness. 3 feeling anger, hurt, and resentment. 4 (of a conflict) harsh and acrimonious - which means having ill feelings. 5 (of wind or weather) intensely cold.
I have had a rough couple of weeks, letting unkind acts toward me get me down. I've been annoyed, angered and offended too often lately and whether it was justified or not, bitterness is an ugly beast.
So from now on I'm keeping it! Hurt feelings aren't worth holding onto and it's definitely not worth giving away my joy, it only ends up causing more pain. After all, I can't control what everyone else thinks of me. If I reach out to someone only to keep getting a stink eye and cold shoulder, there's nothing I can do about it. If someone's speaking unkindly about me, oh well! I only have control over one person and that's me. I have a long way to go, I'm far from perfect but I'm trying my best so I can return to live with Him someday.
Ephesians 4:31-32 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
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Amen Sister! Thanks for the reminder. I needed to hear this because something just happened to me where I was letting it fester and ruin a relationship. Thanks for reminding me what it will do to me. You are the best! It was good seeing you at the Hoe Down!
ReplyDeleteGood post. We got the birthday party invite and Palmer will be there, he was very excited. Talk to you soon hopefully!
ReplyDeleteIsn't God's Word and his promises such a breath of fresh air. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteGood for you Jess,
ReplyDeleteIn my daily scripture study, I often come across a verse that really sticks out to me and helps me a lot. I am glad to see you've done the same. Don't you just love
Ephesians? Thanks for sharing and hey, you are pretty super in my eyes. If someone gives you the stink eye, that's their loss, they're missing out on one fun chick!! Have fun with Jaxon's birthday party.