Hello All!
Today marks day 3 for me of 7 of a detox I am doing to rid my body of junk. This is most definitely a challenge in so many ways, but I am enjoying it as much as one can enjoy a detox. :) However, it got me thinking....what would a 7-day spiritual detox look like? I'm taking seven days to rid my body of sugar, bad fats, and other junk that has built up inside of me...what if I take seven days to rid my mind and heart of sin? What does that look like?
Any thoughts out there?
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Bitterness is not Becoming
I can't recall the saying, but the concept that bitterness only hurts the one who is bitter really isn't true. I don't know about you, but I have been the brunt of others' bitterness before, and it is anything but non-hurtful....so you think I would have learned from that to not be bitter, but oh no, as usual, I had to learn this one on my own.
Over the last year or so, I've been struggling with bitterness towards people who shall remain anonymous and hopefully undetected throughout this post. I allowed silly things like people saying they'd call and then not, or calling too much, or making me feel like they forgot I exist, or blowing me off, or _______, to take take root in bitterness. And even though all the above are true, why would I want to harbor bitterness in my heart? Why would I want ugly sin to take root, make it's home in my heart, and play a determining factor in my thoughts towards certain people in my life? I don't know...I guess it seemed like a good idea at the time???? Is there ever really an adequate justification for why we sin?
A couple of weeks ago in church, we were challenged to take a step of faith and surrender sin that's been lingering over to Christ. Our pastor encouraged us to take the physical step of writing the sin down and putting it at the foot of the cross. I sat in my chair thinking about how bitter I have been lately towards some people, and asked God to not only forgive me, but to show me what it looks like to love these people like He does....despite how much I've been hurt by their actions (or the lack of actions) towards me. It is hard...it really is. How do I even begin to change my heart towards some people who have hurt me and don't even know they've done so? I know it is not biblical or Christ-like to harbor bitternes or ponder the wrongs committed towards me, but how do I LOVE with an unconditional love?
I've been praying about this over the last few weeks, and this is the conclusion I have reached: Pray for God to show me more ways to love others, but in the meantime, whenever bitterness rears it's ugly head, think of something for which I am truly thankful. Think about something in that person that is admirable. Think about what Christ did for me when He set me free. Give praise to God.
I'm not sure if any of you have struggled with bitterness, but any advice you have to share would be appreciated. :)
This morning, I read this verse, and absolutely love it!
1 Timothy 1:16
"But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. " (ESV)
Jesus showed me, the worst of sinners, mercy. Through me, Jesus will show his patience (which is unlimited and perfect) as an example to others of what it looks like to trust & rely on God forever. (Hannah Baldwin Version)
I hope you all have a fantastic, bitter-free weekend!
Over the last year or so, I've been struggling with bitterness towards people who shall remain anonymous and hopefully undetected throughout this post. I allowed silly things like people saying they'd call and then not, or calling too much, or making me feel like they forgot I exist, or blowing me off, or _______, to take take root in bitterness. And even though all the above are true, why would I want to harbor bitterness in my heart? Why would I want ugly sin to take root, make it's home in my heart, and play a determining factor in my thoughts towards certain people in my life? I don't know...I guess it seemed like a good idea at the time???? Is there ever really an adequate justification for why we sin?
A couple of weeks ago in church, we were challenged to take a step of faith and surrender sin that's been lingering over to Christ. Our pastor encouraged us to take the physical step of writing the sin down and putting it at the foot of the cross. I sat in my chair thinking about how bitter I have been lately towards some people, and asked God to not only forgive me, but to show me what it looks like to love these people like He does....despite how much I've been hurt by their actions (or the lack of actions) towards me. It is hard...it really is. How do I even begin to change my heart towards some people who have hurt me and don't even know they've done so? I know it is not biblical or Christ-like to harbor bitternes or ponder the wrongs committed towards me, but how do I LOVE with an unconditional love?
I've been praying about this over the last few weeks, and this is the conclusion I have reached: Pray for God to show me more ways to love others, but in the meantime, whenever bitterness rears it's ugly head, think of something for which I am truly thankful. Think about something in that person that is admirable. Think about what Christ did for me when He set me free. Give praise to God.
I'm not sure if any of you have struggled with bitterness, but any advice you have to share would be appreciated. :)
This morning, I read this verse, and absolutely love it!
1 Timothy 1:16
"But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. " (ESV)
Jesus showed me, the worst of sinners, mercy. Through me, Jesus will show his patience (which is unlimited and perfect) as an example to others of what it looks like to trust & rely on God forever. (Hannah Baldwin Version)
I hope you all have a fantastic, bitter-free weekend!
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