How were things for your over this past year? Although 2021 was an improvement for the most part, most people have categorized the past two years as something of the “less desirable” state to say the least.
If we aren’t careful we can dwell on the negative so much that we’ll find ourselves in a tailspin that will actually lead down the road to more negativity. None of us want that so what do we do? How can we prepare for the coming year even though this past year had it’s ups and downs with may more downs which extended farther down than we really wanted? One way to question ourselves is to ask are we “better or bitter” over what has taken place in our lives.
Am I better for having gone through the difficulties of 2021? God expects improvement in conformity to the image of the Lord Jesus Christ from every situation, Otherwise, it would not be necessary for us to face the situations we have.
Romans 8:28–30 (ESV) — 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
1 Peter 1:6–7 (ESV) — 6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Even if we feel like He is chastising us rather than testing us, we know that either way, the difficulty we are facing is for our good, and is growing us to the conformity of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 12:5–10 (ESV) — 5 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. 6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” 7 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.
James 1:2–4 (ESV) — 2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
To look at the difficulties you have faced in the past year takes grace, and God will provide the grace to grow if you will reach out to Him as the apostle Paul did:
2 Corinthians 12:7–10 (ESV) — 7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
On the other hand, instead of growing or becoming better having faced difficulty, it’s really easy to fall into the trap of bitterness. Instead of gratitude there is complaining. Instead of seeking God’s help, there is a turning away from God in anger. Bitterness is such a common thing that we have to constantly be chopping it off at the roots. In other words, it’s always there and if you neglect this aspect of life, bitterness will consume you.
Hebrews 12:15 (ESV) — 15 See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;
Notice, the “root of bitterness” which means it’s like those plants that even though you think you have rid your yard of them, they keep coming back. Bitterness not only is there ready to pop up at a given moment, but it will choke off the flow of grace in your life as noted above.
The bottom line is simple: if you want to have a good year coming up, look at how you have or may grow by the difficulties, struggles, and trials of the past year. That means confessing and repenting over not handling situations as the Bible says or demonstrates that you should. It means renewing your commitment to stay close to God through prayer and meditation on His word and being faithful in dedication and participation in the local church. To be “better” from struggles means you also make a constant dedicated effort to put down, dig out, and destroy every form of bitterness. You’ll recognize it by being quick to complain, judge others, and even curse God. The choice is yours as you look back before you go forward – are you better or bitter?
Godspeed,
Bob Brubaker
