Winter. Long nights. Short bursts of sunlight. Bitter winds.
Late last night I was reading some Psalms and Proverbs. I'm still learning about many, many things and my walk with God is still quite young but it was nice to stop, slow down and read the Bible for an hour.
Anyway, back to my topic. I am not sure if it is winter or perhaps I can discern these things more than before but there are so many affected by bitterness.
Bitterness is a terrible thing to have. Some point somewhere in time we were hurt emotionally, by something or someone. Emotional hurt takes far longer to heal than physical hurt.
Sometimes we were to blame, others we shared the blame and others we had no idea the train was coming on those tracks. Either way the result is bitterness.
I liked reading Jono's post on the Bitter is Sweet. Good piece of scripture that in Ezekiel. And a good post. Bitterness is part of the trials and tribulations of life and it must be overcome
If you read Job he talks a lot about bitterness. For example Job 7:11 “ Therefore I will not restrain my mouth;I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul." Job sure went through a lot and had every reason to feel bitter but he maintained his faith and look what happened? Look what he allowed to happen!
But it is the times when we were to blame in any way that I have noticed that bitterness is at its worst in people. I think it's because as rational people we like to think we would never do those things to another. Or maybe it is that we see ourselves as strong and that would never happen to us, the Job principle, but then it does and we realise that we are not as strong as we thought.
But bitterness leads to anger, frustration and resentment, amongst other things. It is hard dealing with bitter people, especially when you want peace and happiness, for as Psalms 120:6-7 states:
"My soul has dwelt too long with one who hates peace. I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war."
In other words bitter people turn to the easiest outlet for what they are feeling: someone else.
But we must not allow ourselves to react. We must be proactive. As Proverbs 17:28 says: "He who has knowledge spares his words, And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit."
We need to understand that bitterness is part of the learning process of life. It will happen to all of us at times. But with faith and love for Jesus it can be overcome. Both for those who suffer and those who endure that suffering.
Does this mean we have to "cop it sweet" when someone else dumps their bitterness on us? Maybe James 3:16-18 has the answer: For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace."
So be willing to learn from the winters in life. Be willing to know that by doing so spring and summer are not far away. Be willing to let that sun shine and peace reign. Be willing.
I hope that all makes sense. But for me I am going to enjoy the forthcoming weekend with a cup of hot chocolate, wearing tracky daks and an old footy jumper, and the warmth of being inside when the outside is so cold and bitter.
Thanks for reading and God Bless.
