January 10

Written by Bill Grandi on January 10th, 2022

Before I get started I would like to ask you to pray for two of my readers: Martha Orlando is in the hospital with bacterial pneumonia (not COVID-related) and Diane Ronzino is in the hospital with COVID-pneumonia.  Thanks.

One of the emotions many Christ-followers struggle with is bitterness. Frankly put: bitterness will eat a person alive. There is no one reason why bitterness rears its ugly head.

In 2 Kings 5 there is a story of Naaman. Naamen was a well-loved general but he was afflicted with leprosy. The real hero of the story is not Naaman (although he did have to exhibit faith). It is not Elisha, the prophet who told Naaman to wash in the Jordan 7 times. The real hero is, of course, God. But someone else is a player-a young Israelite girl who had been taken captive.

She approached her mistress, Naaman’s wife, about a prophet in Israel who could heal his leprosy. Her words were, “I wish my lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria.”

She had every right to be bitter. But instead, she had a tender heart. She wanted the best for her enemy, rather than hoping for the worst.

Taken as a captive how could she possibly do that? By refusing to be bitter. She sets an example for us. What is interesting  is how it shows Jesus to us.  She was not a bitter person. If anyone shows us we should not have bitterness it is Jesus. If anyone could have or should have been bitter it was Him. But instead of raining down invectives and hateful remarks and holding a grudge, Jesus chose to use very few words: “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.”  That sounds like a great example to follow! It sure beats allowing ourselves to get eaten alive by poison inside us.

“Father help me to follow the example of the Israelite girl and ultimately, the example of Jesus. Help me not to hold a grudge or get bitter. Help me live in freedom.”

LOVE GOD DEEPER…WORSHIP HIM MORE

 

6 Comments so far ↓

  1. Diane Ronzino says:

    Thank you for the prayers! Yes she is quite the example for us to follow.

  2. Ed says:

    Oh Lord! I never thought about that when reading the story. It does resemble Joseph’s story too if you think about it!
    When I really think about it though, I can see how we are captives to a person/situation in one way or another. The question is: Do we allow God to use us in that situation without bitterness?
    Lot’s of ideas to think about.
    I pray for both Marsha and Diane! This virus will get us all sooner or later.. vaccine or not.

    • Bill Grandi says:

      I’m glad I was able to give you a new insight Ed. Your question is the right one. And thanks for praying for Martha and Diane.

  3. Ryan S says:

    Praying for healing for both Martha and Diane.

    Bitterness is a poison… A cancer. When it takes root, it can infect every aspect of one’s life.

    Not something you want to have lingering around.

    • Bill Grandi says:

      Thanks for praying Ryan. I know they appreciate it. And you are right about the poison. Interesting how we wouldn’t think of ingesting a poison through eating or drinking but allow one to live in us.