Yesterday I was enjoying, at least I thought I was, M&M pancakes with my son. (Yes! Chocolate for breakfast!) Mmmm, the sweet taste of the syrup and the buttery-flavored stack of hot pancakes were just what my stomach needed wanted.
All of a sudden, chew, chew, chew, and spit! What was that bitter taste? I’m not sure if it was an M&M that had gone bad, or something in the pancake batter had spoiled in that section of my pancake. Ewww. I had to drink and rinse my mouth out a few times to get that bitter taste out of my mouth.
Okay, this was a tame illustration, but it was recent in my head. But I could go back in time and pull out a juicy story of a time in my life when I allowed bitterness towards someone to really get to me.
Why was I bitter? Jealousy and protectiveness of what is mine. What good did it bring me? None what so ever!
Animosity can be bad for your health, relationships, attitude, outlook, and so much more.
Why do we allow ourselves to get this way at times? If we would learn to celebrate in others successes, stop comparing ourselves with others, learn to forgive, or whatever made us bitter in the first place, we would smile a little more, have a happier outlook, and healthier life.
The bitterness that King Saul displayed towards David in 1 Samuel 18 and 19 was killing him. Saul’s jealousy had led him to want to have David killed. His conniving plans failed each time, which added to his bitterness. The more he would try to outwit David, the more David would succeed and give God the glory.
Don’t allow others to get the best of you. Celebrate, be confident, forgive, be happy with who and Whose you are. Whatever it takes to eliminate resentment in your heart, just do it. But always remember to give God the glory.
Blessings to you.
May 24
