It's Time to Look Up and Move On

"All bitterness, anger and wrath, insult and slander must be removed from you, along with all wickedness.  And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ"  --  Ephesians 4:31-32 / Holman Christian Standard Bible

Are you mired in the quicksand of bitterness or regret?  If so, you are not only disobeying God's Word, you are also wasting your time. The world holds few if any rewards for those who remain angrily focused upon the past. Still, the act of forgiveness is difficult for all but the most saintly men and women.

Being frail, fallible, imperfect human beings, most of us are quick to anger, quick to blame, slow to forgive and even slower to forget. Yet, if you are a Christian, we are commanded to forgive others just as we, too, have been forgiven.

If there exists even one person - dead or alive - against whom you hold bitter feelings, it's time to forgive. Or, if you are embittered against yourself for some past mistake or shortcoming, it's finally time to forgive yourself and move on.  Hatred. bitterness, and regret are not part of God's plan for your life.  Forgiveness is.

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Lord, free us from anger and bitterness. When we are angry or bitter, we cannot sense Your presence.  Keep us mindful that forgiveness is Your commandment. Let us turn away from bitterness and instead claim the spiritual abundance that You offer through the gift of Your Son.