The Poisonous Root of Bitterness

“Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.” (Hebrews 12:15b)

We are warned to “WATCH OUT!” for the root of bitterness. The Holy Spirit refers to bitterness as a poisonous root that will grow up to trouble us. Here are just some of the troublesome synonyms and related words for bitterness:

resentment, sarcasm, HATRED, bad blood, harshness, HOSTILITY, ANGER and venom.

Ephesians 4:31-32 says, “Get rid of ALL bitterness, rage, ANGER, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”

Brothers and sisters we are living in an evil and corrupt world with a selfish and sinful people. There will be times when people will fail us, offend us, talk about us, take us for granted, neglect, abuse, and betray us. Of course when these things happen it will hurt us and even anger us. Anger is not the problem, staying angry and sinning in response to the anger is the problem. You see bitterness is the evil behavior or sin resulting from unresolved anger. It will corrupt our hearts and will keep us from producing the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. (Galatians 5:19-23)

Bitterness in our heart will most certainly result in hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, dissension, and division. Jesus said that from the treasury of our heart we will speak. Meaning what is coming out of our mouths shows what is truly in our hearts. What is in our hearts can defile us which is why we must guard our hearts above all else, for it determines the course of our life. If our hearts are consumed with bitterness, resentment, and anger then our life is definitely not on the right course. We have fallen off the narrow road and started taken the broad road. (Matthew 12:33-37, 15:16-20, Proverbs 4:23)

“Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.” Galatians 5:21

When we are allowing bitterness to rule in our lives we are actually nursing hatred in our hearts. We can try to hide it but the Holy Spirit says that, “Hidden hatred will be exposed publicly”.

”People may cover their hatred with pleasant words, but they’re deceiving you. They pretend to be kind, but don’t believe them. Their hearts are full of many evils. While their hatred may be concealed by trickery, their wrongdoing will be exposed in public.” (Proverbs 26:24-26)

It is best for us to not ignore the signs of bitterness but to acknowledge them and go before the Lord to find help before the day comes that we explode in front of everyone and make utter fools of ourselves. Oh that we would be willing to allow the Holy Spirit to search out our hearts and expose any roots of bitterness that have crept in to trouble us, but not only us those around us also.

Let us follow our Lord’s example. He did not retaliate when He was insulted, nor threaten revenge when He suffered. He left His case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly. We know that our Lord is for us and is on our side, so who can truly be against us? We also know that what the enemy means to destroy us our heavenly Father works out for our good, so we don’t need to seek revenge on those that hurt or betray us because our Lord will take revenge for us. He will pay them back. We need don’t need to harbor unforgiveness and bitterness. (1 Peter 2:23, Romans 12:17-21)

Instead let us conqueror the evil and wrongs done against us by doing good. Our Lord has given us these instructions on how to deal with the haters and users in our lives,

“But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you..” Matthew 5:44

When we handle our offenders like this then we are acting like true children of our Father in heaven.

The Holy Spirit is always reminding me of what He has said through Paul in Colossians 3:12-17:

“Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, YOU MUST clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive ANYONE who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so YOU MUST forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, DO IT AS A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE LORD, giving thanks through him to God the Father.”

Clothing ourselves in love is the answer. Love through the power of the Holy Spirit will teach us to be long suffering, patient, and forgiving. I believe with all my heart that when we remember and truly meditate on how merciful our Lord has been with us, and how much He has forgiven us for, then we should be more willing to forgive and make allowances for others faults and offenses against us. After all we are supposed to be imitators of our Father. (Ephesians 5:1)

Also, let us always remember that we are not battling against flesh and blood people that we see, but we are battling against the evil spirits and principalities that are manipulating and oppressing people. We must learn to love the person and hate the sin. That is why our Lord has commanded us to pray for those who use and persecute us. He wants them to be delivered from their bondage and rebellion because if they continue in their sin they will most certainly suffer consequences.

So let us rid ourselves of the poisonous, venomous root of bitterness so that we can be true representatives of the Lord. Let us not let the sun go down on our anger because that is how we give foothold to the devil and allow room for the root of bitterness. Instead let’s chose to forgive and rejoice in the opportunity to suffer for doing good because it is pleases God when we suffer for the good. May we keep on doing what is right and trusting our lives to the God who created us, and who will NEVER fail us. (Ephesians 4:26, 1 Peter 4:19, James 1:12)

Don't Let Anger Control You

And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil. (Ephesians 4:26-27)

There are bound to be things that will happen to us in this life that will cause us to get angry. Plans don’t always do the way we thought. People will fail us. We will be wronged in some way. We will witness some injustice done to someone we love and care for. Someone will say something hurtful intentionally or unintentionally. There will be many justifiable situations that will cause us to get angry, but we must not allow anger to control us. When we allow anger to control us sin will most certainly creep in and will wreck havoc in our lives.

Sometimes it is easier said than done to not sin when we get angry. I don’t know about you but I feel like I just want to say everything that is on my mind to my offender. In my human anger I want to lash out and defend myself. However, our human anger does not produce anything good and most surely does not produce the righteousness that our Lord desires. That is why we must all be quick to listen, SLOW to speak, and SLOW to get angry. (James 1:19-20)

In doing this study I found a quote by Epictetus a Greek philosopher who said, “Nature has given to man one tongue, but two ears, that we may hear from others twice as much as we speak.” This is a great statement and something to remember when we are angry. Often times when people become angry they stop listening and are start speaking way too much. We must remember that once our words are spoken they can never be taken back. Our words can either build up or tear down. All too often out of anger there are harsh words, slander, and other evil behavior. Solomon has words of wisdom about anger and venting.

“Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back.” Proverbs 29:11

“There is more hope for a fool than for someone who speaks without thinking.” Proverbs 29:20

“An angry person starts fights; a hot-tempered person commits all kinds of sin.” Proverbs 29:22

Allowing our selves to be controlled by anger is to follow the desires of our sinful nature. Outbursts of anger, quarreling, dissension, division, and hostility are the fruit that are produced when we have given the devil a foothold in our lives through the doorway of anger. Since we belong to Christ Jesus we have to nail the passions and desires of our sinful nature, in this case anger, to His cross and crucify it there. Then we can produce the fruit of the Spirit in our lives which are love, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:19-23)

Let us remember what Ephesians 5:1 says, ‘Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are His dear children.” Therefore we should deal with anger the way that our heavenly Father does.

• Being slow to anger – The LORD passed in front of Moses, calling out, “Yahweh! The LORD! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.” (Exodus 34:6, Psalm 103:8)
• Allowing our anger to last only a moment - For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning. (Psalm 30:5)
• Letting things go and not constantly accusing - He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever. (Psalm 103:9) For I will not fight against you forever; I will not always be angry. (Isaiah 57:16)
• Being gracious, merciful and FORGIVING – Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted MERCY, kindness, humility, gentleness, and PATIENCE. (Colossians 3:12) The LORD is slow to anger and filled with unfailing love, forgiving every kind of sin and rebellion. (Numbers 14:18) They refused to obey and did not remember the miracles you had done for them. Instead, they became stubborn and appointed a leader to take them back to their slavery in Egypt! But you are a God of forgiveness, gracious and merciful, slow to become angry, and rich in unfailing love. You did not abandon them, (Nehemiah 9:17) Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. (Colossians 3:13)
• Hold back your fury. Remember that people are imperfect. Make allowance for each other’s faults - Yet he was merciful and forgave their sins and did not destroy them all. Many times he held back his anger and did not unleash his fury! For he remembered that they were merely mortal, gone like a breath of wind that never returns. (Psalm 78:38-39) Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. (Colossians 3:13)

My Lord help us to be merciful to others when we have been wronged or provoked to anger. We desire to imitate you and be slow to anger full of mercy and grace ready to forgive our offenders. Help us to make allowance for each other’s faults Lord. Clothe us with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and most of all LOVE. Thank you for the Holy Spirit which produces the fruit of self- control in our lives. In Christ Jesus name..Amen.

Picking Up the Broken Pieces

“For I know the plans that I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. You will find me when you seek me, if you look for me in earnest.” Jeremiah 29: 11-13

In my last posting I wrote about how I bought a beautiful mosaic candle holder. Well, I wanted to share another word the Holy Spirit spoke to me about that mosaic. You see when I saw the beautiful red and gold glow behind the cross I remembered what my sister in law had just recently told me about a project that her and her mother took on. They were making a mosaic tile for her mother’s garden. She said that they found the project to be difficult because the glass would cut their hands and fingers. I heard the Holy Spirit say,

“When people try to pick up the broken pieces of their life on their own they will find themselves getting cut and hurt. It is too painful. It is by the power of the Holy Spirit that I pick up the broken pieces and make a beautiful master piece for all to see and stand in awe of.”

We don’t have to worry about picking up the broken pieces in our lives. That is not our job. This difficult job belongs to our Lord and Savior. When we surrender to the healing power of the Holy Spirit He puts the pieces back together again, better than we ever could. Then He fills us with His joy and peace. His fire will be in us and will illuminate us.

I remember when I lost my mom at the early age of sixteen. My life was shattered into a million pieces. The years after her death were consumed with drug abuse, extreme feelings of loneliness, and depression. I was a mess for many years. Every time I tried to pick up the broken pieces of my life I found myself more frustrated and discouraged. The more I followed my own ideas and ways of healing the worse things got for me. I needed the Healer to come and mend my broken heart. I needed Him to help me forgive. Most of all I needed to surrender to Him and lay down the broken pieces of my life at His feet. And that’s exactly what I did.

He has healed me and has showed me that He can use any situation good or bad, happy or sad to make us stronger Christians. We don’t always understand why we go through some of the troubles that we do, but we have to know with all of our heart that He truly does work everything out for our good. We have to trust Him with every part of our life. There is to be no holding back from Him.

Jeremiah 29:11-13 reassures us that He does have a good plan for our lives. It promises us that when we call on Him that He will hear and answer us. The Holy Spirit can heal every part of us and make us beautiful in Christ Jesus.

If you are still trying to pick up some of the broken pieces of your life on your own, STOP IT! That is the Holy Spirit’s job. Allow Him to have His way in you. He loves you and has a wonderful plan in which He will use every broken piece to make you whole again. Trust Him and you’ll see that your faith will make you whole.

"Do Over!"

“For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” Romans 3:23

Recently I have been thinking about how many believers allow themselves to be tormented by feelings of guilt and condemnation when they sin and fall short of our God’s glorious standard. They get so down on their selves when they realize that they are still susceptible to sin. We must remember that we are going to make mistakes as long as we are here in these sinful bodies living in this world full of sin and temptation.

Satan and his demonic forces are determined to keep us bogged down under feelings of condemnation and guilt when we sin. These forces immediately try to attack our minds with negatives thoughts like..

“Do you think God is really going to keep forgiving you when you’re always messing up.”

“Real Christians would never say or do that. You’re not a real Christian.”

“See you’re not good enough, smart enough, or know enough for God to use you. You can’t even stop sinning.”

I seriously doubt that I am the only one that enemy attacks with thoughts like the ones above. I know this because the Word of God says that Satan is the accuser of the brethren. (Revelation 12:10) These accusing thoughts and words are straight from the pits of hell. The Accuser wants us to have a “woe is me” attitude and give up. He knows that if we are busy beating ourselves up, feeling guilty, condemned, and unworthy we will not want to enter God’s presence to receive His forgiveness, mercy, and grace when we need it most. We will be bound by these emotions, unable to be used by our Lord.

Instead of sitting and meditating on our mistakes and our shortcomings we need to remember what 1 John 2: 1-2 says.

“My little children, I am telling you this so that you will stay away from sin. But if you sin, there is someone to plead for you before the Father. His name is Jesus Christ, the one who is all that is good and who pleases God completely.”

You see our Heavenly Father knows that we are not perfect and that we will sin, so He has given us Jesus Christ to be our Advocate. So we can go boldly before the throne to ask forgiveness and healing. Our joy and peace will be restored because we know that all is well between us and our God.

I remember when we were kids we used to love playing kickball. For those of you that don’t know kickball, it is a mixture of baseball and dodge ball, only the ball is much bigger and softer and you kick the ball. When the pitcher rolls the ball if you miss it or kicked a foul everyone would yell “BALL!” or “FOUL!”, “DO OVER!” You then were given another try, a ‘Do Over’ to kick the ball as far as you could.

That is how it is when we fall short of God’s glorious standard and sin. As followers of Christ Jesus we are trying to live each day pleasing to God, avoiding sin, but sometimes we just miss it and mess up. But if we confess our sin and repent He is faithful to let us try again. So rebuke those negative thoughts and reject that “woe is me” attitude and remember that our Advocate, Jesus Christ gives us ‘Do Overs’. Thank God for that!

p.s.

I suggest also reading Don't Let Sin Control You

Let It Roll Off Your Back

" An angry person starts fights; a hot-tempered person commits all types of sins.” Proverbs 29:22

I used to be full of anger, easily offended, and constantly fighting. Through the power of the Holy Spirit and the renewing of my mind with the Word of God over the years, I have conquered anger issues that used to control my moods and emotions. However, I find myself still getting bent out of shape over situations that I just can’t change or people who don’t change. Although I do not react the way I used to, I hate that I still get so angry.

Let me clarify, I don’t want you to get the wrong impression. I am not a time bomb waiting to go off. For the most part I am a pretty chill and easy going person. I’m the first to make excuses for others offenses, trying to see the best in them, and trying to see their point of view. I am also very long suffering and patient. I really don’t care if I am talked about or persecuted because I know that my Lord was too, so I don’t take it personal.

However, recently the enemy has attacked me where it hurts the most, with my family. I see my children facing situations that they don’t deserve. I see my loved ones being tempted and persecuted. My first reaction is anger. Then there is an internal battle between my old nature and my new nature. They war within me each wanting to resolve the situation in their own way. I wish I could say that all the time the new nature wins, but that would be a lie. Sometimes I quickly retort with words of anger, without even thinking.

“Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.” James 1:19-20

I have learned by experience that if I am lead by the emotion of anger I will only make matters worse. Instead of acting out foolishly I have learned and am still learning to give the situation to the Lord and I trust Him to have His way.

Through tears I pray for God’s mercy and grace. Then I sit back and I pray for those that hurt me or those I love. My prayer is always for God to have mercy on them, to help them, and draw them to Jesus. He gives me the power and the willingness to want to forgive them. Then I am full of peace as I trust Him to work it out for our good and for His glory. It is always so amazing to me that He turns my anger into sorrow and compassion for our offender. I KNOW that is a God thing for sure.

Anger is a natural emotion. We will get angry sometimes, but what matters is that when we are angry that we do not sin and that we do not go to bed with that anger still lurking inside of us.

“Don’t sin by letting anger control you. Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.” Ephesians 4:26-27

Recently my pastor taught on anger. The two things that still stand out in my mind that he said are, “Don’t be angry about the things you can’t change. You’re angry for no reason. And don’t get angry about the things you CAN change.”

When I heard him say this I chuckled to myself because is just makes so much sense to me. It’s so simple and yet so profound. It was an on time Word that I needed to hear. I am determined to apply these words of wisdom to my own life and would encourage you to do the same. We will avoid so much unnecessary drama if we do not react in anger but instead we learn to let things roll right off our backs.

Harboring anger will only lead to malice, wrath, bitterness, clamor, slander, resentment, and unforgivness. It will have a huge snowball affect in our lives and will hinder our relationship with God and others. If we sit and really think about it, it’s silly and pointless to get angry about things that we can’t change because what’s done is done. You can’t change it and getting angry isn’t going to help the situation. Getting angry will usually make the situation worse. We may say things that we don’t mean or we may do something that can’t be undone. Dealing with our problems in anger most certainly will have regrettable repercussions.


However, in some situations we have the power to change the problem. Rather than getting angry and adding to the problem we can make a difference and seek change. Instead of anger being our guiding emotion let us be inspired by the Holy Spirit and full of determination to transform our problems.

Anger is pointless. Let it roll of your back and don’t allow anything to steal your joy and peace.

Day 2 WOC Treasures In Prison

Continued from Day 1 WOC Story of Champion


Day two was just as amazing as day 1. In the group of volunteers there were two other women who I had done time with in one of the jails, rehabs, or prisons. I can never really remember where but immediately there this excitement and bond. We were there together serving on one accord to give these girls hope that what God had done for us He would also do for them.

We were at Broward Correction Institution. This prison is very special to me because this where I started my prison sentence more than eleven years ago. To be able to go and share my testimony with these women is a dream come true to me. Every time I go back to BCI prison I am reminded of a prophecy that I read once while I was incarcerated. That prophecy changed my life and confirmed my purpose. Instead of sharing the details of the day I would like to share the prophecy because I see it coming to pass.

Treasures in Prison Cells

It was late and I was tired, wanting to go to sleep, but God wanted to talk; it was about midnight, but it dawned on me that God does not sleep. His question made me restless. "Bill, where on earth does man keep his most priceless treasures and valuables?" I said, "Lord, usually these treasures like gold, silver, diamonds, and precious jewels are kept locked up somewhere out of sight, usually with guards and security to keep them under lock and key. God spoke, "Like man my most valuable treasures on earth are also locked up." Then I saw Jesus standing in front of seemingly thousands of prisons and jails and He said, "These have been destroyed by the enemy, but these souls have the greatest potential to be used and to bring forth glory to my name. Tell my people I am going this hour to the prisons to activate the gifts and callings that lie dormant in these lives that were given before the foundation of the earth. From out of these walls will come forth a spiritual army that will have power to literally kick down the gates of hell and overcome satanic powers that are holding My people bound in My own house. Tell My People that great treasure is behind these walls in these forgotten vessels. My people must come forth and touch these lives, for a mighty anointing will be unleashed upon them for future victory in My kingdom. They must be restored." Then I saw Jesus step up to the prison doors with a key. One key fit every lock and the gates began to open. I heard and saw great explosions that sounded like dynamite going off behind the walls. It sounded like all-out spiritual warfare. Jesus turned and said, "Tell My people to go in and pick up the spoil and rescue them." Jesus began walking in and touching the inmates who were thronging Him. Many being touched instantly began to have a golden glow come over them. God spoke to me and said, "There's the gold!" Others had a sliver glow around them and He said, "There's the silver!" Like slow motion they began to grow into what appeared to be giant knights, armored warriors. They had on the entire armor of God and every piece was solid and pure gold! Even golden shields! When I saw the golden shields I heard God say to these warriors, "Now go and take what Satan has taught you and use it against him. Go and pull down strongholds coming against My church." These spiritual giants then started stepping over prisons walls with no one to resist them, they went immediately to the very front line of the battle with the enemy. I saw them walk right past the Church. The big-name ministers, known for their power with God, were surpassed by the giant warriors, like David going after Goliath! They crossed the enemy's lines and started delivering many of God's people from the clutches of Satan while demons trembled and fled out of the sight at their presence. No one, not even the church, seemed to know who these spiritual giants were or where they came from. All you could see was the armor, the golden armor of God, from head to foot, and the shields of gold were there, the shields were restored to God's house and there was great victory and rejoicing. I also saw silver, precious treasures and vessels being brought in. Beneath the gold and silver were people, the outcasts, the poor and the despised. These were the treasures that were missing from God's house. Then the Lord said, "If my people want to know where they are needed tell them they are needed in the streets, the hospitals, the missions, the prisons and jails." When they come they will find Me and the next move of My Spirit and they will be judged according to My Word in Matthew 25:42. For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I need clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not come to visit me."

By Bill Yount

Day 1 WOC Pt2 First Public Confession

Continued from Day 1 WOC "By The Word of Their Testimony

After lunch it’s back to the same pods we go so that we can fellowship with the girls. During our lunch break I was asked to be a platform speaker for the second half of the day. I was to go from pod to pod sharing my story. I have done these events quite a few times and I have been asked before to be a platform speaker, but this time was different I did not know why at the time. The Holy Spirit had been telling me to prepare my heart to speak since that morning so I was not surprised when I was asked to share. I asked our Lord to give me the Words that He would have me speak.

I went into the first pod and began to share my story in front of close to 100 women. I told them how I had been raised by both my father and mother until I was eleven years old when they separated. It was all down hill for me then. I became even more rebellious and started running away from home. I went to live with my dad because I was closer to him at the time. My mother was very strict with me and we just always seemed to bump heads. I explained that I realize today that she was just trying to protect me.

Full of stubbornness and rebellion I thought I knew everything and I wanted to be so grown. I had run away twice to New York before the age of 14. My family had formed a gang and pretty much joined forces with another big gang in our county. They were one of these largest gangs in Broward County in the early 90’s. Most of my family only helped feed the terrible demons that possessed my life.

I began doing drugs, fighting, having sex, stealing, clubbing, hanging out all night and disappearing for days at a time. I had been arrested a couple of times and did a little time in juvenile detention. Then I was sixteen when my mother died in a tragic car accident. This pushed me over the edge. Now I was full of rage and hurt. The one emotion that I had the most that ate at my heart was regret. I regretted not being able to be the daughter that my mother deserved. I just wanted to know that she loved me. What I shared next surprised me…

I continued on to tell them that perhaps I had been angry with my mother because when I was small child I told her of how I had been molested by a family member that was staying in our home. When I told her what occurred she addressed the individual along with their parent, but they did not believe me. I remember being slapped in the face and being called a liar. I was wounded forever. This was not the first or the last time that this would occur, not by the same family member. Others too had their way with me.

I stood for a moment before the women in disbelief but in freedom. I told them that this was the first time that I shared publicly that I had been molested. I gave glory to God who has healed me and explained that it is by His Spirit that I am able to forgive and share that story with them. Although I do not forget what has happened I remember with forgiveness. When I looked around and saw the tears and the shock in their faces I immediately knew that many of these women had also been molested or raped. My friend read me a statistic from the Us Department of Justice’s site that said more than 50% of the women in jail said they had been physically or sexually abused in the past. How awful. L

I finished sharing and went on to the next dorm to tell my story of deliverance. That day approximately 200 women heard how our Lord delivered me from darkness and brought me into the light. When I was done sharing I felt like the little girl that hides inside me was no longer full of shame and guilt. She was full of love and freedom in Christ Jesus. She has learned to allow our Lord to take what the enemy meant to destroy her and use it for His glory.

After leaving the prisons we went to a banquet that was hosted by a local church for all of the volunteers. We had dinner, fellowship, and shared our experiences in the jails and prisons. There was singing, laughing, and prayer. It was an awesome end to a glorious day.

Enclosing I would like to say that if you have been molested or raped you do not have to be ashamed or feel guilty. You were the victim but you do not have to remain the victim. You can become the victor through Christ Jesus. He can heal you if you will choose to forgive your offender. It took me many years to even face this situation, to even talk about it. It was just a couple of months ago that I told my husband, whom I have been with for ten years, that I was molested as a child.

Our God was patient with me and knew when I would be ready to face this. One of my mother’s in the Lord shared her story with me of how her father had for years sexually abused her. She spoke with such freedom and without shame. To hear and see how our Lord had delivered and healed her made me want to face my past too. It is because of her story and His Word that fills my very being that I can address this subject today.

His Word has brought healing to my soul. His Word is freedom to those that have been held captive by strongholds, addictions, anger, and unforgiveness. Allow the Holy Spirit to heal you and to help you forgive so that you can be free too.

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the suffering and afflicted. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted, to announce liberty to captives and to open the eyes to the blind.” Isaiah 61:1

Beware of Anger!

More on prayer tomorrow but for now..

BEWARE OF ANGER! When we have been hurt, offended, gossiped on, betrayed, or taken advantage of we must not allow ourselves to be consumed by anger. Anger is determined to take over all of our emotions and hinder our thinking provoking us to meditate on the offense over and over again.

It’s a trap! Don’t meditate on the offense!

By constantly remembering the offense we are feeding the anger and prolonging forgiveness and healing. We need to learn to choose to forgive and leave the offense and the offender in God’s hands. Believe me; I know it is easier said than done especially when it hits close to the heart. However, the Word of God tells us that if we do not forgive our offenders than God will not forgive us either. We are also commanded to get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger in our lives.

“Your heavenly Father will forgive you if you forgive those who have sinned against you; but if you refuse to forgive them, he will not forgive you.” (Matthew 6:15)

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:31-32)

I am not saying don’t get angry. There will be times that we all get angry. We just can not allow the anger to overcome us. So what do we do when we have been hurt? How do we not allow anger not to consume us? Below are just some suggestions:

Ø Be lead by the Spirit. Don’t allow your fleshy emotions to take over your mind. Remember there are principalities in the spiritual realm wanting to agitate the situation more and could even be the influence provoking it. We must keep in mind that we are constantly in a spiritual battle.
Ø Control your tongue. Don’t be loose with the lips saying things that you will regret. I know my first reaction is to want to come out of my mouth and start verbally retaliating. I feel the need to defend myself with my tongue. This is not the answer! It will only help to quickly escalate the conflict.
Ø Do not hesitate, immediately begin to pray! Ask God to help keep a cover over your mouth until the Holy Spirit has helped you get control over your emotions. Then try to resolve the situation amicably, in love and with patience.
Ø If your offender is unreasonable and does not care to resolve the conflict then you have got to let it go and leave it in God’s hands. Remember that God is our vindicator. There is no reason to defend yourself or retaliate in anger, trust our Lord to work on both of your hearts and forgive the person right away for your own good.
Ø Refresh yourself by playing some praise and worship music so that you can get your spirit and mind back on the Lord and off the offense. It’s hard to be angry when you are worshipping God.

Lord, we thank you that through the power of the Holy Spirit we can forgive quickly and not allow anger to have its way with our emotions. We pray that You would have mercy on our offenders and draw them closer to You. In Jesus name…Amen.