Watch Out!

How easy it is for us to become bitter with our circumstances. Resentment builds when we feel as if life isn’t fair—that we’ve been forced to set aside the dreams and plans we hold dear. We resent those in the medical or social services communities who are supposed to be helping us. We resent having to wait—on doctors, reports, tests, the insurance company. Sometimes we fear that even God has forgotten us in our obscurity.

We don’t usually plan to become bitter. That’s why God warns us to be on the lookout, not only for ourselves but also for others. We aren’t in this alone. God has promised to never leave us or forsake us. No matter why we find ourselves in a caregiving position, it comes as no surprise to God. He approves each circumstance to mold us into the image of His Son. God knows the dreams and plans we’ve had to set aside in obedience to the task He’s preordained for us, and He promises to fulfill those dreams and plans as we delight ourselves in Him (Psalm 37:4).

So keep an eye out for resentment and bitterness. If you sense either encroaching upon your spiritual flower bed, mindfully delight yourself in the Master Gardener, praising the Lord of your dreams and your life. He’ll weed out the root of resentment, thus stanching the budding branch of bitterness.