Jane Ault- (Referencing 1 Samuel 1) Since Hannah was as human as we are, she may well have held a grudge against Peninnah for the meanness handed down to her over the years. What did the relationship between these two women look like after Hannah returned from her visit to the temple?
The Bible doesn't tell us. But it does say that Hannah was no longer sad and that she began to eat. This indicates that she felt loved. I believe that hope, faith, and the comfort she received from God gave her strength to let go of any grudges she was carrying. (Photo by Raychan on Unsplash)
Knowing that we are loved gives us the courage to let go of our bitterness. During the month I wrote this chapter, I decided to focus on the topic of love. One of my goals was to memorize the 13th chapter of the book of First Corinthians—a beautiful description of love.
Among the characteristics of love that are listed is this one: "It [love] is not irritable or resentful." I read that Scripture several times before I understood that in love there is no resentment—none at all. How would I feel if I did not carry any resentment in Life? No resentment either toward myself or others? I would be free of a great weight. I would have energy to spare. Deeply desiring this freedom, I started to cry.
Then, as I continued searching the Scripture, I found these other two statements: "The love of Christ controls us" (2 Corinthians 5:14 NCV) and "God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting peoples' sins against them" (2 Corinthians 5:19 NIV). All of my life I've resisted the idea of being controlled by anything or anybody; yet, resentment has controlled many of my days. It does count people's sins against them.
Being controlled by resentment is slavery. Being controlled by love is freedom. Being controlled by love happens when we submit our hearts and lives to God. This involves trust. For Ann Voskamp, developing a lifestyle of gratitude produced an unexpected benefit—increased trust in God. She says;
"Count blessings and discover Who can be counted on . . . Trust is the bridge from yesterday to tomorrow, built with planks of thanks. Remembering frames up gratitude. Gratitude lays out the planks of trust. I can walk the planks—from known to unknown—and know: He holds." [Ann Morgan Voskamp, One Thousand Gifts (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2010, pp. 151-152].
What we remember about any given situation is a matter of choice. If we believe God loves us and that he is able to bring good out of every situation (the promise of Romans 8:28), we will trust him and experience joy. But if, in our minds, we choose to remember and think about pain and hardships, we will prolong our bondage to resentment.
About a year ago, I was scheduled to have cataract surgery. When I went for my pre-op appointment and saw a video describing the procedures (including possible complications) I panicked and cancelled my surgery. What caused me to make that decision? I remembered a what-was-supposed-to-be ambulatory surgery nine months earlier in which I experience unusual complications.
These are the things about that situation that I choose to remember: my physician's diagnostic failure, hospitalization that lasted for almost three weeks, unexpected and unnecessary physical pain, a medication overdose, a three hour ambulance transfer to another hospital, a corrective surgery, and a very long recovery.
{Taken from Jane's book, EMOTIONAL FREEDOM, The Choices We Must Make, pp. 104-106, used by permission]
Let's pray-
In Jesus’ Name, Amen."
[Adapted from prayer by Suzanne Eller]
456-460 one-line Scriptures for those of you who want to learn some more verses this week- or to review them from when they were first posted-
~ There will be times when we believe we’re insignificant, totally struggling in our self-worth. Will we listen to the internal voice telling us that we’re not good enough, fragile and weak? The truth is, that as children of God, we are infinitely valuable to Him. We are always strong enough in Christ Jesus.
Today's guest post-
I once talked with a college-student friend who complained about his disappointment with a few people who had hurt him. He found it difficult to forgive them and move on. In fact, he harbored bitterness."
The North Country Christian Fellowship Center Churches,
located in the St. Lawrence county of NY,
broadcast their Sunday services at 10 or 10:15
You can view past services too.
Thanks for sharing great word
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