Genesis 50:16-21
So they sent Joseph a message, "Before his death, your father gave this command: Tell Joseph, 'Forgive your brothers' sin—all that wrongdoing. They did treat you very badly.' Will you do it? Will you forgive the sins of the servants of your father's God?”
When Joseph received their message, he wept.
Then the brothers went in person to him, threw themselves on the ground before him and said, "We'll be your slaves."
Joseph replied, "Don't be afraid. Do I act for God? Don't you see, you planned evil against me but God used those same plans for my good, as you see all around you right now—life for many people. Easy now, you have nothing to fear; I'll take care of you and your children." He reassured them, speaking with them heart-to-heart.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
19th-Century German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche said, “What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger.” And truly, some of our most powerful – and effective – lessons are learned through adversity. The ability to see the positive side of a tough situation is a talent many of us could use!
The cool thing is that God can show each of us how to find the blessings in the “bad stuff”…to say, “That guy actually did me a favor” or “This really worked out pretty well.” I know in my own life that there have been times when I wanted to be so angry with someone over how they treated me – or I wanted to be mad and upset about unplanned circumstances and how they “ruined my day.” But when I stopped and took a hard look at what I gained from the experience, my negative feelings began to fade. I won’t say they always disappeared, but let’s just say they were not so near the surface!
A lot of this is nothing more than a resentment we harbor against someone or something. I can tell you that nobody suffers more from a grudge than the person who holds it. If you really want to live in joy and abundance, let it go. Take a page from Joseph’s book… recognize that what others plan against you for evil, God can use for good. Realize that “life happens.” The key is to stay faithful to God… close to Him in every way – at all times – and to be fully attuned to His will and desires for your life, rather than those of others.
Joseph had it right. We are not God… but we are not to be a doormat for others, either. We are to operate fully in the will of God and trust Him to show us –and others - positive aspects and outcomes for every situation. It may be hard at times. We may feel like we are going to die in the process – or possibly suffer a broken heart or public embarrassment beyond repair. And yes, we may get a little frustrated when things don’t go as we planned. But God will take care of this, too. He will meet our needs at all times - if only we will let Him. GOD will handle any “revenge” necessary. He will bless us even in adversity… and that will make all the difference.
©2012 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label resentment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label resentment. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for November 28, 2010
Leviticus 19:17
"Don't secretly hate your neighbor. If you have something against him, get it out into the open; otherwise you are an accomplice in his guilt.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Have you ever known someone who rubbed you the wrong way? So many of us go around harboring a grudge against another person… and sometimes we don’t even realize it! And frankly, a lot of the people who irritate us have absolutely no clue that we feel this way. So we have a choice… we can “forgive and forget,” or we can hold onto the grudge and let it eat away at us and make us miserable. Now which do you think God prefers we choose?
For a lot of life’s insults and infractions, “forgive and forget” is the best policy. But there are times, as we read in the scripture, when clearing the air is both effective and necessary. There comes a time when you have to sometimes say to someone else, “I was offended by what you said/did,” and give them a chance to apologize and make amends.
If a friend or family member is taking advantage of your generosity, and you find yourself becoming bitter or feeling used, it may be time to say, “This is making me uncomfortable… I think we need to set some limits.” If you feel that someone is behaving in an inconsiderate manner toward you or someone else, and you are frustrated – or even angry – toward that person, you should probably pull them aside and say, “I do not feel this situation is right. How can we make some adjustments?”
This scripture passage is not a license to judge or condemn others, because to do so would be the same as harboring a grudge… and we would be bringing guilt and judgment on ourselves in the bargain. God wants us to rise above resentment and disagreement. He wants us to be so focused on loving each other and loving Him that we have no time for judgment, bitterness, resentments and grudges. God wants us to focus solely on things that serve His kingdom. And sometimes, in order to do this, we have to stop and clear the air… kindly and gently!
Where are you holding a grudge these days… if even a “minor” one? Who do you need to speak with and clear the air? What adjustments can you make that will improve the situation for everyone? This is the time to start. Get things out in the open, and begin to operate in love, kindness and honesty. Your relationship with your neighbor will improve. More importantly, so will your relationship with your Heavenly Father… and this is what really matters. Take the necessary measures to get over your grudges… and get on with the important business of operating in the love of Christ and serving as His disciple.
©2010 Debbie Robus
"Don't secretly hate your neighbor. If you have something against him, get it out into the open; otherwise you are an accomplice in his guilt.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Have you ever known someone who rubbed you the wrong way? So many of us go around harboring a grudge against another person… and sometimes we don’t even realize it! And frankly, a lot of the people who irritate us have absolutely no clue that we feel this way. So we have a choice… we can “forgive and forget,” or we can hold onto the grudge and let it eat away at us and make us miserable. Now which do you think God prefers we choose?
For a lot of life’s insults and infractions, “forgive and forget” is the best policy. But there are times, as we read in the scripture, when clearing the air is both effective and necessary. There comes a time when you have to sometimes say to someone else, “I was offended by what you said/did,” and give them a chance to apologize and make amends.
If a friend or family member is taking advantage of your generosity, and you find yourself becoming bitter or feeling used, it may be time to say, “This is making me uncomfortable… I think we need to set some limits.” If you feel that someone is behaving in an inconsiderate manner toward you or someone else, and you are frustrated – or even angry – toward that person, you should probably pull them aside and say, “I do not feel this situation is right. How can we make some adjustments?”
This scripture passage is not a license to judge or condemn others, because to do so would be the same as harboring a grudge… and we would be bringing guilt and judgment on ourselves in the bargain. God wants us to rise above resentment and disagreement. He wants us to be so focused on loving each other and loving Him that we have no time for judgment, bitterness, resentments and grudges. God wants us to focus solely on things that serve His kingdom. And sometimes, in order to do this, we have to stop and clear the air… kindly and gently!
Where are you holding a grudge these days… if even a “minor” one? Who do you need to speak with and clear the air? What adjustments can you make that will improve the situation for everyone? This is the time to start. Get things out in the open, and begin to operate in love, kindness and honesty. Your relationship with your neighbor will improve. More importantly, so will your relationship with your Heavenly Father… and this is what really matters. Take the necessary measures to get over your grudges… and get on with the important business of operating in the love of Christ and serving as His disciple.
©2010 Debbie Robus
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