Bad things happen. We can count on it. I wish they didn’t but they do. Jesus even tells us so,
John 16:33
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
In this world, You. Will. Have. Trouble. He guarantees this.
But, he doesn’t stop there, does he? But take heart! I have overcome the world.
When bad things happen, we have two choices. We may grow BITTER or we may grow BETTER.
If we allow the bad things that happen to us to make us BETTER we enter into a downward spiral of self-defeat. Through our attitude, we tell the Lord that his provision is not enough and that we can’t trust him to make good on his promises. When we grow bitter, we are asserting that our plans are desires are greater than the Lord’s plans and desires.
If we allow the bad things that happen to us to make us BETTER we are submitting ourselves to God’s lordship in our lives. We are faithfully walking out God’s promises for our lives. We are agreeing with Jesus in his ability to have overcome the world. We may not understand God’s ways, but we can trust that they are good.
So the next time something bad happens to you, will you choose to grow BITTER or BETTER?