Too good not to share

I receive a daily devotional called Daily Hope from Rick Warren of a Purpose Driven Connection. I'm always amazed at how God can use the Word and devotionals from Godly men and women to speak into my life, right where I am.

Yesterday's devotional was titled, "Don't Let Bitterness Weaken Your Life." It got me thinking of how easily that even followers of Christ could be become bitter and mean if we allow it. Can you imagine how hard it must be for those who don't know Jesus? I don't even want to.

So today I'd like to share this devotion from Rick Warren. My take-away: you don't have to fight. If you are truly a Christ-follower and live a spirit-led life, God fights the battles for you. You can completely surrender the anger, hurt and feelings of revenge for a peace that God has it all under control. Getting even is a waste because He's already won. What would happen if you stopped reacting? There'd be nothing to fight. Sure, people can still say or make up anything they want, but it doesn't make it true. And you can be sure that even if everyone believes the lies, God still knows the truth. Anyone can fly off the handle, but a wise person uses self-control. 

Don't Let Bitterness Weaken Your Life 

By Rick Warren

“A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.” 

Proverbs 29:11 (NIV)

The biblical strongman Samson had one extraordinary weakness: his primary motivation in life was simply to get revenge. His life was full of resentment and anger and so he was always reacting violently to people.

We see this several times in Judges 15. In verse 3, Samson said (v. 3), “This time I have a right to get even with the Philistines.” Then, he says (v. 5), “Since you acted like this I won’t stop until I get my revenge on you.” Finally, in verse 11, he gives an excuse that is typical of a weak person (v. 11), “He answered, ‘I merely did to them what they did to me.’”

That was Samson's modus operandi: he was always reacting. When you spend your entire life reacting to people instead of making your own choices, it will weaken your life. “I merely did to them what they did to me.” Have you ever used that excuse?When you think about it, resentment -- getting even -- is a waste.
It's a waste of time. The whole time you're mad, the person you're upset toward is totally oblivious to it. Resentment always hurts you more than it does the other person.
It's a waste of energy. You spend all that energy getting upset that you get depressed, fatigued, you run out of energy, and you're tired all the time. But worst of all …
It’s a waste of creativity. Most of us, when we’re angry at somebody, we become extremely creative, thinking of ways to get back at that person.

When you look at Samson's life, you see a guy pretty creative at getting even. In Judges 15:3-5, "Samson said to them, `This time I have a right to get even with the Philistines. I will really harm them.' So he went out and caught 300 foxes and tied them tail to tail in pairs. Then he fastened a torch to every pair of tails. He lit the torches and let the foxes loose standing in the grain of the Philistines and he burned up all the shocks and the standing grain together with the vineyards and olive groves."

That's pretty creative! But that creativity ultimately led to his captivity and death. What's the lesson out of Samson's life? It’s better to control your anger and choose to act rather than react against everybody. Or as Proverbs 29:11 says "A fool gives full vent to his anger. But a man of understanding controls himself." 

Welcome to the world, sweet Caleb!

For you created my inmost being; 

you knit me together in my mother's womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; 

your works are wonderful, 

I know that full well.

My frame was not hidden from you 

when I was made in the secret place. 

When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

your eyes saw my unformed body. 

All the days ordained for me 

were written in your book 

before one of them came to be.

Psalm 139:13-16

I woke up Monday morning to a text on my cell phone from my best friend Steph in Florida - she'd delivered her baby boy early that morning. The only catch; she was only 29 weeks pregnant. I became frantic, calling and texting her to make sure that she and the baby were alright. I received a return text that he was doing okay and that she'd call when she could, but I just wanted to hear her voice. No, I really just wanted to be there to give her a hug, hold her hand and pray with her. I finally spoke with her the following afternoon and heard the crazy story of of how baby Caleb came into the world 11 weeks early, still marveling at God's hand in it all.


Steph and I have been friends for 15 years. We met our freshman year of college at Palm Beach Atlantic College (well, I think it's now "University"). We were both English majors and what started off as a fun, casual friendship my first year away from home has turned into a friend for life. She's always my biggest cheerleader (except for Bob, of course) and the one I can trust to tell me the truth. We've been there for each other through it all and although we can't always be together physically, I know that we are linked as sisters through a mutual love, respect and most importantly, the same heavenly father. 


Little Caleb is such a beautiful reminder that we have a loving God and that we aren't some cosmic accident. To know that we are so special to Him, that we are "fearfully and wonderfully made". The evidence is all around us and so apparent, but I believe that it is magnified for moms. To look at our children is to see the amazing love of a heavenly father who loves our kids even more than we do (if we can even imagine that!) It still amazes me that someone wouldn't be able to see Him. But then again, I think we all can. It's just that some choose to deny Him and miss out on all that He really wants for us in this life and beyond. 


I love you, Steph. You're already an amazing mommy!