Life events will either make you bitter or better, your reactions to them is what makes the difference.
Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. Hebrews 12:14-16
I recently had a text from a man whom I once looked up to. When I received the text I was like, “Thank you”, and I went on with my day. But what transpired over the next 12 hours was the most convicting thing that I have had happen in quite some time. My response went from “Thank you” to “Why did he text me?” “Why is he bothering me?” Wow! I didn’t understand what God was doing in my life because in all honesty, I had not given much thought to the whole situation in a long time. What I didn’t know was there was a root of bitterness toward this man.
I prayed, I stayed awake that night, and I got up way early for me. Something was going on and I didn’t understand it. What is one to do but to call trusted a friend to get them to pray for you? As always, God will use true friends to help you look through all of the foggy mess Satan would love to get you caught up in. They will direct you to scripture. Yes, the Word of God speaks very much on this matter. It will direct you to what you need to do—Matthew 5:23-24. That is what I had to do—I had to call the man and ask for his forgiveness and to tell him I have forgiven him.
Child of God, everyone is impacted by life events. How we respond is what makes the difference in our life and the lives of others. Will you remain with bitterness in your heart, tearing down friendships you never intended to tear down or will you become better by forgiving, setting yourself free? And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians 4:31
