Wasting No Time on Bitterness
1 Peter 4:7
But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
Thought:
If the end of all things is at hand, then every moment is precious. That means we cannot afford to waste our short time on Earth clinging to bitterness, grudges, and old wounds. A sober mind remembers that life is like a vapor. It appears for a little while and then disappears. When we realize how brief life is, many of the things we argue about and stew over begin to look very small. What once seemed too big to let go of becomes something we cannot justify carrying any longer.
The nearness or closeness of the end causes us to let the Lord search our hearts. Is there someone you refuse to forgive? Is there a conversation you know you should have but keep putting off? Are you holding on to anger that is poisoning your joy and your prayers? The call to be sober and watch unto prayer includes bringing these hidden battles into the presence of God. Ask Him to help you release what you have held too tightly. Ask Him to give you His perspective on your hurts. You may not be able to change the past, but by His grace you can choose not to waste the rest of your time on bitterness.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, You know every hurt and every wound in my heart. I confess that I have sometimes held on to anger and bitterness. Because time is short, help me not to waste another day in resentment. Give me courage to forgive, to seek peace, and to let go of what I cannot change. Teach me to be sober and watchful in prayer so that my heart stays clean and free before You. I pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen.
But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
Thought:
If the end of all things is at hand, then every moment is precious. That means we cannot afford to waste our short time on Earth clinging to bitterness, grudges, and old wounds. A sober mind remembers that life is like a vapor. It appears for a little while and then disappears. When we realize how brief life is, many of the things we argue about and stew over begin to look very small. What once seemed too big to let go of becomes something we cannot justify carrying any longer.
The nearness or closeness of the end causes us to let the Lord search our hearts. Is there someone you refuse to forgive? Is there a conversation you know you should have but keep putting off? Are you holding on to anger that is poisoning your joy and your prayers? The call to be sober and watch unto prayer includes bringing these hidden battles into the presence of God. Ask Him to help you release what you have held too tightly. Ask Him to give you His perspective on your hurts. You may not be able to change the past, but by His grace you can choose not to waste the rest of your time on bitterness.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, You know every hurt and every wound in my heart. I confess that I have sometimes held on to anger and bitterness. Because time is short, help me not to waste another day in resentment. Give me courage to forgive, to seek peace, and to let go of what I cannot change. Teach me to be sober and watchful in prayer so that my heart stays clean and free before You. I pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen.
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