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Sep 26, 2024 18:00pm

What Now?: Bitterness

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The following comes from the devotional book “What Now?” by Ashley Akers. To learn more, go to www.whatnowdevo.com.

Bitterness

Think of a time when you were angry or disappointed because you were treated unfairly. How did you respond to that person? At one point or another, everybody has been treated unfairly—hence the saying, “life’s not fair.” When I was treated unfairly in the past, I never acted appropriately. I would disengage emotionally from that person after I got mad and re-engage with my mouth by telling them what I really thought about it. Although sometimes I fail, I now choose to pray and let God handle it. For example, I had been hurt by some unfair circumstances. I was emotionally drained and literally laying on the floor asking God to pick me back up because I had nothing left. That next day at Bible study our leader pulled me aside and said she felt God wanted her to change the topic for the morning and that she believed this new message was for me. Wow. Just that was enough, but then she read this scripture from Isaiah 56:1-2 NLT:

This is what the Lord says: “Be just and fair to all. Do what is right and good, for I am coming soon to rescue you and to display my righteousness among you. Blessed are all those who are careful to do this. Blessed are those who honor my Sabbath days of rest and keep themselves from doing wrong.”

God says, “Look to me, do what is right and I will bless you.” Shortly after, God gave me a mental picture of what He was doing. His hands were surrounding a ball of clay and He told me, “I’m working it.” That confirmed to me that I had done the right thing by giving it to Him and He was working out my circumstances. I didn’t need to say or do anything else. I went into my Bible study class that day emotionally drained and I left there with strength from the Lord.

Genesis 37-50 records the story of a man named Joseph. He was one of the youngest brothers of 12, and the favorite son of his father Jacob, which made his brothers very jealous. When Joseph was 17 years old, his brothers kidnapped him. They first plotted to kill him, but instead sold him as a slave to a passing caravan, which in turn later sold him in Egypt. Joseph grew in favor with his Egyptian master and was eventually placed in charge of the whole household. However, he was falsely accused by his master’s wife of making sexual advances, so he was thrown into jail. Even there, he continued to do what was right. Eventually, God brought him before the Pharaoh and he interpreted a perplexing dream for this ruler. Pharaoh promoted him to reign over all Egypt, second only to Pharaoh himself. While Joseph was in this new position, his desperate brothers came to Egypt looking for food. The brothers were astounded to find Joseph in this new position of authority and power. Their shock quickly turned to fear that Joseph would be bitter about what they had done and have them punished. Joseph had certainly been treated unfairly. But, he chose to welcome his brothers and made a place for them to live near him. Joseph realized (read Genesis 50:20) that even though his brothers intended to harm him, God intended to use him. God had turned his circumstances around for ultimate good so that lives could be saved. We may not understand why we go through unfair and unjust things, but never forget that God can always turn things around for our good and for His purposes!

Reflection Questions

1. When you become bitter at a person, how do you respond to them? Do you show anger, revenge or gossip? Or do you pray?

2. Read over Joseph’s story in Genesis chapters 37-50. Describe a time you felt betrayed or treated unfairly like Joseph was?

3. Forgiving others doesn’t just benefit the person that you forgive — it helps you, too. Is there anybody you feel bitterness or resentment towards that you need to forgive?