By Ann Abbott
It seems no big deal: a few words, a comment, a negative thought;
Just responding to their actions, and the offense that they brought.
Over time unresolved hurts, though often ignored or even buried,
Become more like resentments, and grudges that are carried.
Anger flares up if another event or a memory comes to mind;
Frustration is greater; around your heart like a rope it will bind.
Beware of the bitterness, it can be a burden too heavy to carry.
Give it ALL to Jesus, lay it all down; hasten and do not tarry!
He alone can give you release, and the peace that you need.
He promises us LIFE; it’s in His truth you will be freed.
It doesn’t seem easy, but in John 8:32, Jesus’ words we see
“and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
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It isn’t pleasant to think or write about negative things like anger or bitterness. I am not a counselor, just a fellow sojourner on this road of life. One who can easily feel the hurts and slights from others, just as most of us do. I have come to see how easy it is to “stuff” or seemingly bury situations that happen, in order not to cause conflict, or overreact. There is definitely wisdom in being “quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.” (James 1: 19-20 NLT) However, if we “let the sun go down on our anger” we actually can give “a foothold to the devil” (Ephesian 4:26-27 NLT), an opportunity for him to fester that anger into deeper resentments and into bitterness.
Click on these links to help in gaining more understanding, and to deal with and overcome these emotions, by God’s grace and with His truth!
How To Forgive Video by Corrie Ten Boom
We can allow these “footholds” to gain ground in our hearts. Once confessed and forgiven, we need to “reclaim” the ground and dedicate it back to the Lord. Dr. Jim Logan’s book, Reclaiming Surrendered Ground (Moody Press 1995) is a good resource to read in this area.
Dear Lord, It is so easy to be hurt, offended, and sometimes deeply wounded by the words or actions of others. You knew about that better than anyone, and experienced greater injustice than any of us! Please grant us Your grace to lay our burdens down at Your feet. Help us to receive and then to give the forgiveness that You paid such a huge price to give to us! In Your name and for Your glory we pray, Amen.