Don't choose to be Bitter; instead Forgive!

Jeff Strite, long time pastor in Indiana, shares some inspirational stories. Here is one about the danger of Bitterness.

A young High School girl named Sally told of one Sunday School class she’d been in. Her teacher was known for his elaborate object lessons and, on that day when she walked into class, (she) knew they were in for another fun day. On the wall was a big target and on a nearby table were several darts. The teacher told the students to draw a picture of someone that they disliked or someone who had made them angry and he would allow them to throw darts at the person’s picture.

Her girlfriend (on her right) drew a picture of a girl who had stolen her boyfriend. Another friend (on her left) drew a picture of his little brother. Sally drew a picture of someone she didn’t like very much, and she put a great deal of detail into her drawing.

The class lined up and began throwing darts, and everyone was laughing and joking. Some of the students threw their darts with such force their targets ripped apart. Sally looked forward to her turn and was filled with disappointment when they ran out of time and the teacher asked the students to return to their seats.

As Sally sat thinking about how angry she was because she didn’t have a chance to throw any darts at her target, the teacher began removing the target from the wall. And underneath the target … was a picture of Jesus.

A complete hush fell over the room as each student looked at the mangled picture of Jesus; holes and jagged marks covered His face and His eyes were pierced out.

The teacher closed the class with these words: “Inasmuch as you have done it unto the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto Me” (Matthew 25:40).

Pastor Strite also shared this story in his message entitled, “Blinded by Bitterness.”

I read a story about natives of Polynesia who spent a great deal of their time fighting, and they had a custom for remembering things others had done to offend them. They’d take something that belonged to each offender and hang it in the roof of their hut. Then as they laid in their bed each night, they’d remember each person and what they’d done, and try to decide how to get even.

Bitterness is deadly, and more so to you than the person you are bitter against. As Pastor Strite pointed out above, meditating on people who have offended you will only stir up the bitterness in your own heart. Plus, Jesus declared that, whatever we do to even the Least of His brothers, we have done it unto Him – whether for good or for evil. Jesus chose to forgive His enemies, even the ones who were torturing and crucifying Him. May we do the same!

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This Sunday, September 28, we will continue our series, “Tackling the Tough Stuff!”, with the very important topic of “Bitterness: Deadly as Poison!” Please invite someone to join you in the building or online for the Live broadcast on either Facebook (Honolulu AG) or our YouTube channel (Honolulu Assembly of God). We Livestream every Sunday to both locations and would love to have you join us!

Reminder: Be sure to check out the online midweek Bible Study. It is uploaded every Wednesday afternoon to our website, Facebook page, and YouTube channel. Also, please join us for Bible Study this and every Sunday morning at 9:30am. There are two classes for children, one for youth, and one for adults. (The current study for the Adult Class is on Psalm 23.) Be blessed and grow in your Christian life by studying the Bible together!

Coming Up: “Girl Time Lunch & Fun” for all the ladies is coming up on Saturday, October 4, at 11:30am. Bring a friend or two and something delicious to add to the table. Our next Drive-Through Prayer outreach in the parking lot is also that day, from 11am-1pm.

Aloha ke Akua!