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Bitterness: Trials and Tragedy

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x XBliss Wasnt EnoughX x

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PostPosted: Sat Jul 13, 2013 3:41 pm


Hey there! I'm the newest crew member to this guild, and I'm happy to be here. This is my first time posting something like this, so bear with me. Something that's been weighing heavily on my mind lately is bitterness. I know many people who are, for some reason or another, very angry at tragedies that have occurred in their lifetime, and they blame God for it. My ex-step dad lost his son who hung himself, and he hates God because of it. My mom keeps being kicked out of homes, and she falls in love with men who treat her terribly, and she's mad at God for not providing her with a stable man who can take care of her. My cousin lost a baby and was betrayed by people she thought she could count on, and her relationship with the Lord is severed because of it. They all ask the same thing: Why God? Why couldn't you stop this? Why did you allow this to happen? It leads to a bitterness in their heart, and that pushes God away. When you're upset with God, it inhibits your ability to hear His voice, to understand His wonderful plan for your life.

There's one thing you've got to remember when faced with trials and tragedy. God gave man free will, and man chose to sin. There are always going to be people who you love dearly who are going to hurt you. They may be a non-believer, or a "Christian", or even a Christian without quotes. It's going to happen, and I'll tell you why. Jesus told us to live in the world, but not to become it (2 Corinthians 10:3). It is so hard to not succumb to the selfish ways of the world, to not be materialistic, to not cheat on a husband or wife, to not get a divorce and abandon a family. That's simply how the world works. It's always "me first". "If he/she doesn't treat me right, forget them". "He/she just doesn't make me happy anymore. Sayonara!" Many Christians "pick and choose" what they want to believe and follow. I know people who are Christians but are gay, or bi, and I also know some who are Christians who swear and use the Lord's name in vain. My point is: don't get mad at God because of someone else's actions. It's not His fault! He can use people, text, and circumstances to speak to someone, but if their ears are turned off, it's useless! There's no point in being upset with the Lord, because once you turn your back on Him, He turns His back on you, and you lose His protection (Matthew 10:33). I can't imagine anything worse than that.

Another point I want to make is about some things that God can control, like when my cousin lost her baby. What I want you to hear from this above all else is that God is in control! He gives you trials and makes bad things happen to you for a reason, and it's always for your best interest. If you follow His will for your life, it will lead to happiness, I promise you that! You've just got to get to the place where He wants you to be first. Please don't be angry when the Lord places obstacles in your path. Imagine the trials like a math test, or a test for another distasteful class. He's testing your faith, and if you decide that He's not worth it anymore, then you failed. In times of trouble, He wants you to rely upon Him for the answers. He'll walk with you every step of the way as long as you ask for it. He doesn't leave you helpless; if He's decided to put up a barrier, He'll provide you with the tools to overcome it (1 Corinthians 10:13).

If you have any questions about this post, please ask them. I'll do whatever I can to help. God bless.

Here's a good, short article I found online about bitterness.
 
PostPosted: Sat Jul 13, 2013 8:20 pm


Amen! Really good heartfelt post here. And I can relate to a lot of the things you posted. I have friends who are angry at God because of their circumstances. But what I believe the common denominator to be when people are angry with God is either a) They did not have a relationship with the Lord to know His character and how He operates or b) When trials came, they did not cast their cares upon the Lord or fully rely on His grace to be sufficient for their needs (like Joseph in the Old Testament, Jesus Christ Himself, the apostle Paul, etc). When you don't understand that trials and heartache are a part of the Fall and the way of this life as long as Satan is the god of this age, then you don't understand how God can be there in your darkest hour. Or, when you have an improper view of God, that He is some magical genie that makes your life a bed of roses, of course one can get disappointed.

The Bible says His grace is sufficient for our weakness. To escape bitterness, cast your cares on Him smile

Also, when we turn our backs on God, He doesn't turn His back on us per se, but He does give us over and waits for us with open arms. God doesn't force us to choose Him, but he will always welcome us back, as it is written "For I will never leave you nor forsake you" (or see the story of The Prodigal Son for people who choose to go their own way and forsake God).

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PostPosted: Sun Jul 14, 2013 9:04 am


Thank you for posting this Bliss. I unfortunately find my self becoming bitter quite often it is something I struggle with everyday. Reading this helps smile
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