Guess what? The devil is a thief! He will try to steal your Christian joy through things and circumstances. A lot of times, we allow him to! Yes, even I have been there. At one time I was so angry and bitter because I have to work outside of the home to provide our health insurance benefits as our church does not (my husband is a pastor). My bitterness and anger grew so big and out of control that it was affecting every aspect of my life-family, church, etc. First of all, the Bible says, "Be ye angry, and sin not. Let not the sun go down upon your wrath."~Ephesians 4:26.
Is it wrong to get angry? NO. Let's read the verse again. It says, "Be ye angry, and sin not..." It is not wrong unless we do something we shouldn't along with it. In my case, it was my bitterness. Friends, bitterness will eat you alive, literally. If we are truly born again Christians, we need to learn to bring the "old man" under subjection. It isn't easy.
Once Satan steals our joy and we have allowed what is happening to overwhelm and take over, he moves in for the kill and tries to completely destroy you, your relationship with God, family and friends. John 10:10a says, "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy:" When someone breaks into your house, they are not there to make things better. They want to steal your possessions. They often destroy your house in the process and sometimes someone may even be killed. But wait! John 10:10b says, "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." There is hope. Jesus is there to bring you back. He offers abundant life.
Is there bitterness or anger in your life? Bring it to the Lord. Pray, leave it at His feet and don't pick it back up. Find a Christian (pastor, friend, counselor) who you can talk to, pray with and can help you through. It is definitely not an easy road to embark upon. Sometimes the bitterness and anger goes very deep. Healing often takes time and the devil will certainly try to keep opening up old wounds. We are not promised an easy life, but we are promised a Saviour Who will always be there for us.
I will pray for and lift you up as well.
I hope you have a blessed day!
Beth :-)
