bitterness

“Asa's heart was fully committed [to the LORD] all his life.”1

Old Testament Judah’s king sounds like quite the guy, doesn’t he? Yet, something goes terribly wrong late in his life.

He goes to war without consulting God and pays a big price for it. The Lord then tells Asa through a prophet that because of his monumental oversight he will be now be at war continuously, presumably for the rest of his life.2

Tragically, the king doesn’t react well to the Lord’s rebuke.

“Asa was angry with the seer because of this; he was so enraged that he put him in prison. At the same time Asa brutally oppressed some of the people.”3

Then we read this:

“In the thirty-ninth year of his reign Asa was afflicted with a disease in his feet. Though his disease was severe, even in his illness he did not seek help from the LORD, but only from the physicians.”4

A little bitter, are we?

So, how does someone who’s described as “fully committed to the Lord” turn out so messed up? Apparently, a rebuke from the Lord can do the trick. And, based on my personal ministry experience, things like health, financial and relationship problems can also trigger divine finger-pointing and a sinful attitude.

Even mature, well-grounded Christians have the option to turn on God vs. turning to Him when things get tough. Tragically, some—even “fully committed” ones—choose the former.

How about you? Does bitterness have a foothold in your otherwise impeccable spiritual life?

·         Are you angry at God because He’s disciplined or rebuked you?

·         Are you angry at God because of a health, relationship or financial problem?

·         Are you angry at God because your life stinks?

If you find yourself getting a little defensive right now, I encourage you to figure out why. Could it be that you harbor some underlying resentment towards God? Could it be that you have some unresolved issues, something that’s interfering with your relationship with your heavenly Father?

If so, here’s my advice: Deal with it. As in now.

Here are three things you need to know:

1.      God is not your enemy. On the contrary, He loves you and is your biggest ally.

2.      The Lord knows what He’s doing. Granted, in His sovereignty God allowed whatever’s happened to occur, but He’s the Creator of the universe and knows what He’s doing. Believe it.

3.      The Lord can take the tragedies and painful moments of life and use them for your ultimate good. Yep, that’s right, it even includes whatever has happened to you.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”5

Do you really want to be like King Asa? He got angry at God and was bitter until the day he died.

I say again: Do you really want to be like Asa, angry and bitter? I didn’t think so.

Then why not make peace with your heavenly Father today? Why not start by telling Him what you’re feeling, and that you don’t want to stay mad at Him. And that you don’t want to stay bitter.

If that’s as far as you can get today, so be it. And don’t expect your strong feelings to just magically go away. My hunch is it will take time.

But here’s your homework. Read the verse below again. And again. And again, until it’s in your very soul. That’s God’s promise to you, and you can count on it.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

1  2 Chronicles 15:17

2  2 Chronicles 16:9

3  2 Chronicles 16:10

4  2 Chronicles 16:12

5  Romans 8:28