“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander along with every form of malice” - Ephesians 4:31 (NIV)
The sin of Cain and Abel which happened millenniums ago unfortunately still lives with us. Cain was bitter that his brothers offering were more acceptable to the Lord. Rather than deal with the problem he took to the easy escape of hating his brother. Consumed with envy he ultimately stabbed his brother to death. What followed is telling. Cain was banished into the wilderness.
Envy and bitterness are cancers we should all be wary of! There are always many trappings that could lead us into that poisonous spirit of bitterness and envy. It could be because someone has a better piece of property or maybe a more grandiose job. Some people the fact one has an apparently more beautiful spouse is enough to get them going.
The fact of the matter is there is never shortage of things to be envious of. Someone out there will always seem to be better off at something. But while what others have we can’t control there is something we can control. Bitterness and envy. And when we do so we are free of that cancer that can come to take away all of our joy and bring ruin to us, just as was for Cain!
Prayer for today: Lord Father in heaven, today I pray that I never allow the cancer of bitterness and envy to take hold of my life.
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03/05/2024 - 04/05/2024 All day“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10)
Every now and then one could be gripped with fear because of certain events sweeping before one’s life journey. It could be the finances that are stretched and incomes are no longer certain. Perhaps it is one’s job under threat. Perhaps it is a dreaded health report card. There could be fear about outcome of a matter under judgment and what it might mean to one’s future.
Fear has been elsewhere described as “an unpleasant emotion caused by the threat of danger, pain, or harm.” Every life will experience fear at one point. Whenever we are faced with fear it is natural to look for something to grasp on. Sometimes we run for shelter wherever we can find. Perhaps we might seek out a friend for quiet confidence.
But there are those situations when there is no shelter in sight. There are also those cases where those we thought would understand our situation once we share our pain return only hurting and critical feedback. In such moments we might then turn and look within ourselves only to find the energy has all been sapped by this gnawing fear. We feel down and the urge to rise and move on all gone!
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand" (Isaiah 41:10) the word of God through prophet Isaiah assures us. But why? It is because the Lord has been there. He himself was faced with fear before his crucifixion but He looked to God.
Charles Spurgeon once wrote when faced with fear always remember, “Nothing is too hard for Him. He can find a way where there is no way. He can give us the idea that will make all the difference.” Psalm 91:2, says, “I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!” So, when faced with fear, look to God to strengthen you. By looking to Him, the Lord will encourage and lift up your spirit, and make a way out of nowhere!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I surrender to you any fear that is in me for I know by looking up to you, you will always make a way out of nowhere, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
