As iron sharpens iron,
one person sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17)
In my office I have an old grandfather clock that was given to me by my grandparents. On the face of the clock it says, Tempus Fugit, Latin for “time flies.” It’s so true, isn’t it? So, how can we make sure that we don’t waste our lives, but instead live for the Lord with joy and gladness? Moses instructs us in this psalm.
“God’s desire is that his love for us, and ours for him, would generate a deep and lasting joy that would make worship a pleasure more than an obligation and make obedience a delight more than a duty… ” - Challies
Read the series so far.
Elijah sits under the juniper and bemoans the failure, unfairness, and pointlessness of his years of work (1 Kings 19:10). Jonah sits under his gourd and broods over his unwanted success (and God’s unwelcome mercy!) in Nineveh (Jonah 4:1-11). Job sits among his “friends” and agonizes physically, emotionally, and spiritually (Job 2:8, 13).
Then there’s Peter. What was he doing between his denial of Jesus, with its resulting bitter regret (Matt. 26:75), and his decision to “go fishing”?
It probably involved a lot of sitting.
Read the series so far.
The humble, submissive, thankful attitudes of worship are what make any response to bitterness genuinely Christian. Honoring God with our attitudes is at the heart of why it’s worth the trouble to avoid prolonged bitterness.
But believers struggling with bitterness should also take advantage of practical wisdom. We need to be tactical as well as strategic. With that in mind, my aim here is to commend one practical response to bitterness, along with some caveats and cautions.
Simple though it is, this strategy has made a huge difference in my own life.
“It seems many Christians are worried about our country’s future instead of simply trusting in the Kingdom that God has already promised us. Why are Christians so easily shackled by fear, when God wants them to live in faith?” - Randy Alcorn
“Ministry is a calling that brings immense joy and fulfillment, but at times it can feel burdensome and unrewarding. If you’re finding that ministry is no fun anymore, you’re not alone. Many have walked this path and found ways to rekindle their passion and purpose for ministry.” - Brian Cederquist
“something has happened in the last several years. The joy quotient for most people, even followers of Jesus, has taken a dive.” - Challies
“The fruit of the Spirit is the fundamental hallmark of a transformed life with Christ. But when we consume news haphazardly, we often spiral into distinctly joyless, impatient, ungentle, and not peaceful modes of doom and gloom.” - TGC
“While happiness is what we all want and what believers throughout the centuries affirmed is a good desire when it’s sought in Christ, countless modern Christians have been taught various myths about happiness—including the false ‘happiness vs. joy’ dichotomy” - Randy Alcorn
“So it is with all secondary sources of happiness. Things such as art, music, literature, sports, careers, and hobbies generate no light on their own. The light they bring comes from ‘the Father of lights’ (James 1:17).” - Randy Alcorn
Discussion