Bitter Or Better?

Today is a brand new day — a clean slate — a road not travelled before. Where will we allow it to take us? Will we be bound to past mistakes, hurts, sorrows, and brokenness? Will we allow these to make us bitter about all the failures, lost hopes, and shattered promises, keeping us mired in the sea — ever-churning, bitter, and downcast? That would be one way to set the tone for this day. That would be the easy way. Or we could choose the biblical way:

Philippians 3:13b – Forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead. (NKJV)

We spent two weeks of December in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, where our daughter had an unexpected surgery because her expected surgery went terribly wrong. In those first words of the doctor, "I made a mistake", our perspective was totally revamped. For a few hours while we waited to see our daughter, we mentally revisited the past years, and I personally prayed that God would help us to accept that this was part of His plan at this time. Her required surgery remains to be done at a later date, so the process continues. What happened couldn't be undone, but our thoughts had to remind us that He knew where we were and what we were experiencing.

Psalm 81:7a – You called in trouble, and I delivered you. (NKJV)

Right there in that hospital, we had to choose to be the strength our daughter needed, and that strength had to come from our faith in God, the Great Physician and our Healer.

We can't change the past or even the people in the past who have disappointed us or forgotten us. We can't control how anyone else will choose to journey the path that is before us. We can control only our own thoughts, actions, choices, and attitudes. With God's help, we can look at the possibilities of each new day, accept the gift that we have been given, dust off our dreams and aspirations, and plan to achieve all we can to make them our reality. We can control our attitude! We have the power of choice!

As the days of our lives unfold, we may understand more, but in the meantime, we are confident that even in this, we are in His hands, and He is totally in control. A particular verse came rushing into my mind, washing over me with a calm assurance and peace:

Romans 8:28 – And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. (NKJV)

Tomorrow is really in God's hands, and He will help us to face whatever lies ahead. We need only ask for His help, strength, and peace. For each one of us, He is only a sigh, a breath, or a tear away — at all times.

We are graciously given a brand new day and another opportunity to let Him lead as He chooses! What lies ahead, only God knows, but He is the only one who needs to know. We need only trust in Him. He knows our needs, and He wants us to have only the best!

Lamentations 3:22-23 – Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. (NKJV)

I pray that we will choose to usher in each day with confidence and anticipation, knowing that as we venture on our journey of faith, we walk right along with God, who is helping, strengthening, and teaching us the wonders of His presence!

Matthew 28:20b – Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. (NKJV)

We can choose to let the past stay in the past — forgiven and forgotten. Let's give the bitter to God and let Him fill our hearts and minds with the essence of Himself, and then we can, with God, celebrate these words:

3 John 4 – I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. (NKJV)

Choosing to make our life better is what God would choose for us! God bless us all richly in all things!

Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, we thank You for the blessings of each new day. We thank You that You are always with us, helping us to grow in grace and love. Thank You for allowing us the choice of following You! In Jesus' name. Amen.

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