Facing bitter circumstances is an important step in our journey. It requires courage and authenticity to acknowledge the painful aspects of living in this sin-cursed world. Yet there is a corresponding depth of relationship with Jesus available to all who will be honest about the struggle. As a minister of the gospel, I have been called upon to minister to people whose circumstances will not improve in this life apart from a miraculous intervention from God. At such times the bitter circumstances of what they are facing is strong and pungent. 1 Peter reminds us that trials are only for “a little while” the problem with some trials are that they last for the rest of our lives here on earth. We do not always think about the sweetness of heaven when things are going well. However, when our lives are filled with bitter herbs, our hope of heaven can and must be our sweet refuge. Hard roads can actually be good if they lead to delightful destinations. Today, we are reminded that bitter circumstances will enable us to appreciate the promises of God, and see the mighty hand of God at work. We can rest in that understanding. … READ MORE

People who have walked with God for many years can often point to times when Scripture has been especially precious to them. It is almost always during a time of bitter circumstances that the sweetness of God’s Word is especially evident. God gives us His Word to provide hope and comfort in the midst of a sin cursed world. often when I find myself struggling in the midst of my circumstances, I turn to the Psalms to find my hope and perspective. The Word of God in the Psalms were written by people who are struggling with the circumstances of their lives. The emotions that come through the Psalms often remind me of the emotions that I am currently struggling through. The hard part is to turn to them and begin reading, or turn to an app and allow the Psalms to be read to me. I am reminded that in Ephesians 5:18 that we are to learn to “walk in the Spirit.” We are reminded in verse 19 that “walking in the Spirit” is manifested by speaking to ourselves in “Psalms, hymns, and Spiritual songs.” If you find yourselves overwhelmed with your circumstances, I would encourage you to turn … READ MORE

Being honest and open about the bitter aspects of this life has a way of quickly bringing us to the end of ourselves. That can be a good thing if we will then admit our inability to handle life on our own and turn to Christ in repentance and faith. But the problem is that many of us don’t know how to do this. According to psalm 51:10 we are encouraged to take time to reflect on our lives and see the work that God is doing in our heart to conform us into the image of His Son. Self-reflection can be incredibly convicting. The reminder of where bitterness starts can cause us to ask penetrating questions about the impact we are having on the people around us. Bitter circumstances do not happen because we are sinners, bitter circumstances come upon us because we live in a sin cursed world. Our self-reflection, enables us to understand that circumstances are permitted by the Lord in order to allow us to see what we have learned in our journey through this life. What is important is not what we have accumulated, or what it is that we think we may be losing … READ MORE