Needless to say, I was devastated. I’d been told for years that I would never have children, and I’d had several miscarriages. But finally I’d had a successful pregnancy and had given birth to a healthy son…only to see him die.
Although I was in no physical condition to do so, I attended the memorial service we held at Oral Roberts University for our baby. After the service, a woman came to me and said, “I prayed for God to kill that baby, and God answered my prayers.”
I was shocked and deeply hurt by her words. But the Lord said to me, “Hug her neck.” As a Christian, I knew how I should react. But my first instinct was to wring that woman’s neck!
But the Lord said, “You hug her neck and ask her what hurt in her heart caused to let such a statement come out of her mouth at a time like this.” I obeyed Him, and the woman began to weep and tell me all the abuse, trouble, and turmoil that had happened in her life. I forgot about my own pain and began to pray for her and minister to her.
You see, I, too, had some unresolved hurts. And I believe God used that incident not only to release her, but so I wouldn’t drink the poison of bitterness and die. It forced me to make a choice: get bitter or get better.
When someone offends you, you have three options: You can shoot that fiery dart right back at them with offending words of your own; you can receive their remark and harbor it in your soul, allowing it to fester and develop into bitterness; or you can pray. You can say Father, in the name of Jesus, I ask You to take the poison tip of this offense out of my flesh so nothing has a chance to take root in me.
It’s easy to wallow in bitterness, blaming others’ actions for our attitude. But I believe God expects more of us. You may never be able to change the person who has offended you, but you can change. You can remove the sin of bitterness from your heart so the blessing of God can continue flowing into your life.
The Cross of Jesus Christ is the greatest example of denying bitterness the chance to take root. Jesus had every reason to be bitter and full of hatred as His life on earth came to an end.
A crowd of followers had turned against Him, soldiers beat and mocked Him, and even His closest friends had denied Him. But His words as He hung on the Cross were, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do” (Luke 23:34 NKJV).
By turning to His Father rather than holding on to pain and bitterness, Jesus was able to remain full of love even as He was dying. When one of the criminals crucified next to Him said, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom,” Jesus proclaimed, “Today you will be with Me in Paradise.” And the man was assured of eternal life (Luke 23:42-43 NKJV).
Father, forgive them. It’s not the most eloquent prayer in the world, but it may be one of the most effective prayers you can ever pray to release you of your bitterness. That simple prayer can put you in a position to minister peace and healing to the one who has hurt you, in the same way Jesus has done for you, and open the way for God to pour His healing and blessing into your life.
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