Do you know what you don’t want to be? I know someone who is bitter. I imagine a lifetime of hurt caused this soul to become the harsh person I know today. I know as I age, I don’t want to become hardened by life’s challenges. I want the scars that seared my soul to soften my heart as God works through them to mold me into who He imagined when He created me: His child, ready to serve Him with words.
As an author, words are very important to me. The charge in Galatians reminds me to use my words to serve others- to comfort and encourage. Not to spew hurt and hate or say things to harm anyone or his reputation.
There are times we will feel hurt and feel it deeply. Hurt people often hurt people. Sometimes the pain we feel can blind us to the weight our words can wield. Our burdens might embolden us to unleash anguish, giving voice to the agony within.
Galatians 5:13 instructs us to not use any freedom we feel for self-indulgence, but to serve one another in love. This is a great reminder the next time my thoughts make a beeline for my tongue!
I’m asking God to help me not lash out in my hurt. To remind me of anyone I may need to make amends with. No, I don’t want to grow into an embittered old woman. I’m asking instead for His help to stay soft and serve in love.
Maybe you too, have witnessed the hurt caused by bitter people. Will you join me in prayer asking God to help all of us learn to surrender hurt and joyfully serve our brothers and sisters in love? He will help us with just that, when we ask.
Prayer: Dear Lord, I am seeing a bitter heart won’t carry me closer to You. Please take my hurts, help me reject hardening my heart. Help me instead to harbor a heart of service. Help me to love on those You surround me with. Lord, thank You for help, in Jesus’s name, Amen.