26th. January. 2021. Daily Devotion.
The Dungeon of Bitterness
“22 “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. 23 “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25 And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” Mark 11:22-25
Bitterness is its own prison. The sides are slippery with resentment. A floor of muddy anger stills the feet. The stench of betrayal fills the air and stings the eyes. A cloud of self-pity blocks the view of the tiny exit above.
Step in and look at the prisoners. Victims are chained to the walls. Victims of betrayal. Victims of abuse.
The dungeon, deep and dark, is beckoning you to enter … You can, you know. You’ve experienced enough hurt … You can choose, like many, to chain yourself to your hurt … Or you can choose, like some, to put away your hurts before they become hates …
How does God deal with your bitter heart? He reminds you that what you have is more important than what you don’t have. You still have your relationship with God. No one can take that. ~ from He Still Moves Stones.
For Mercy
All merciful Lord have mercy upon all Your faithful, on those who are mine and on those who are strangers; on those whom I know and on those whom I know not; on the living and on the dead; and help me to forgive all my enemies, and those who hate me, the trespasses that they have committed against me; turn them from the malice which they bear towards me, that they may be worthy of Your mercy. Have mercy upon Your Creatures and upon me, a great sinner. Amen.
Prayer to Treat Others with Courage and Grace
Lord, this day and forever, may I have the courage never to be afraid of anyone. May I have the generosity to bear ill-feeling toward no-one. Lead me to live in such a way as to treat others in the same way as I would like to be treated. Inspire me never to be violent in thought, word or action, and lead me to conquer evil with goodness.Amen.
God’s own mysterious way
Dear Lord, I thought this virus would be over by now.
How long more must I wait?
How or when is this going to end?
Where can I go to get some relief?
Then I recall a verse from Isaiah (41:10)
“Do not fear: I am with you; do not be anxious: I am your God.
I will strengthen you; I will help you,
I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.”
God is working through all of this in God’s own mysterious way.
God is compassionate to us especially when we patiently wait with faith. ~ By a Columban Missionary.
