From Bitter to Sweet
by Carolyn Dale Newell
Wednesday, February 1, 2017
“And the people complained against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink? “ So he cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a tree. When he cast it into the waters, the waters were made sweet.” Exodus 15:24-25a (NKJV)
How many times have you said, “I resent the fact that you did this”? How long before you resent that person, not just their Irritating action? Does the Bible say, “Thou shalt not resent”? When I asked my personal assistant, otherwise known as Siri to define “resentment”, she replied, “Bitter indignation at having been treated unfairly”.
Bitterness? The Holy Spirit pricked my heart as I was reminded of Sunday’s sermon. The Israelites could not drink the water since it was bitter. True to their character, they complained against Moses, who cried out to God. God directed Moses to take a tree and throw it in the water. How did a piece of wood sweeten the water? It didn’t, but God did. How did a cross made from a tree remove our sins? It didn’t, but Christ’s sacrifice did.
Today’s resentment will become tomorrow’s bitterness. Once bitterness takes root, like a weed, it is hard to kill.
Somebody has hurt you. Somebody has hurt someone you love. It could be a stranger, a family member or another Christian. Church hurt is the worst kind. The only way we can stop ourselves from sliding down this slippery slope of sin is to take it to Christ. I went to Christ yesterday, and I need to go to Him today. I need to do this every day until I am free from holding a grudge. Free from thoughts of anger. Free from the transgression that can destroy me while it does nothing to the one who acted unfairly.
The cross of Christ will sweeten the waters of resentment running through our hearts. Will you join me at the foot of the cross today?
Along with prayer, try showing kindness to this person you resent. It could help break the ice.
Lord Jesus, I realize resentment and bitterness are sinful. Help me forgive and have victory over these feelings. Thank You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
© 2017 by Carolyn Dale Newell All rights reserved.
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Originally published Wednesday, 01 February 2017.
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