“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”- Ephesians 4: 31-32
As we react to your ministry downsizing or career loss, it’s very easy for bitterness to become our default response. But bitterness carries a lot of baggage with it- consuming our souls and endangering our emotional health. We must not allow its destructive power to reign supreme. As Max Lucado pointedly notes: “Bitterness is its own prison.” Bitterness creates separation for God and missed opportunities to respond to His calling for our lives. As Jim Cymbala states:
“A heart out of tune, out of sync with God’s heart, will produce a life of spiritual barrenness and missed opportunities.”
Laura Story offers 3 ways to rid ourselves of bitterness in Chapter 21 (“Beyond Bitterness”) of Blessings: (1) prayerfully ask God to cleanse your heart; (2) catch yourself when bitter thoughts attack you; and (3) replace bitterness with forgiveness. Forgiveness doesn’t require the other person’s participation. It is for our benefit and the restoration of our relationship with God. Barbara Johnson observes: “Forgiveness is a stunning principal, your ticket out of hatred and fear and chaos.”
Today’s question: Consider those you directly/indirectly hold responsible for your job loss. How has/might forgiving them help your healing journey and revisioning of your vocation? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Moving beyond worry”
