Better or Bitter?

[danielpaulcarey]

I thought this was a good lesson for all of us, I know I took it to heart. It comes from a Pastor on the West Coast named Greg Laurie, I hope it contains some message of hope and inspiration. God bless you.

When Storms Come

Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

— Hebrews 12:11

At the conclusion of Matthew 7, Jesus told the story of two men who built two types of houses. One house was built on a good foundation of rock, while the other house was built on a faulty foundation of sand.

Then Jesus described a storm that came and beat against both houses. The house that was built on sand collapsed, while the house that was built on the rock stood firm.

Jesus concluded that the man who built on the rock is the one who hears the Word of God and obeys it. He said the man who built his house on sand is the one who hears the Word of God and does not obey it.

But one other thing I see in this teaching of Jesus is the fact that the storm struck both houses. Every life and every person will experience hardships.

But the question is, how will you react when life's storms hit? Will they destroy you or strengthen you? Will they make you better or bitter?

Here is the good news for Christians: we know that whatever happens in our lives must first go through the protective screen of God's love. In other words, God will not let anything happen in the life of the believer that He is not completely aware of.

The word, "oops," is not in God's vocabulary. He is in full control of all the circumstances that surround the lives of His people.

So when hardship comes, we know that God has allowed it for a purpose. He has some plan in mind.

 

[Joyce]

Thank you Daniel.

May I be better, not bitter.

 

[danielpaulcarey]

Yes, I pray we are all better and not bitter. God is going to allow trials and tribulations to come into our lives. Growth comes from such things. No we may not want them but you can be sure, if you hold fast....through the storm, you will come out stronger and more firm in your faith. So I pray we all hold fast in our times of trouble, keep the faith, endure the arrows, and give it all up to our Father, who has already lived, died, been resurrected, and is on HIS WAY BACK FOR US!!!! So get ready sisters and brothers, our Father is headed our way, it won't be long.....maybe in the blink of an eye and bam....we'll be in our Fathers arms, PRAISE GOD!!!

 

[SinglemomV]

I stand in agreement to these wonderful prayers..God Bless you Daniel! In Jesus Name I pray Amen

 

[Dion]

thank you!!!!

 

[christiangnz]

Heavenly God,

I too am feeling selfish and sinful. Father, I thank You for these words they do encourage me. God, make me to have a willing spirit and a pure heart. I don't want to fall away Lord, but I feel so weak. In Jesus name I plead, amens

 

[HOPE]

Thank you Daniel for posting such an inspirational message....

 

[kristi]

Thank you Daniel!

 

[Heidi]

Lord, thank you for Danial, a couple months ago before my husband filed for divorce, i did have a house on sand. But thank you Jesus for rebuilding my home on solid rock. I would not be with you Lord Jesus, if it wern't for my marriage going so wrong. I would not be as close to you as i am now. Lord, thank your for giving me the right tools, to rebuild my home. My home will continue to stand on solid rock. It will be rock solid, so when brian gets home. we can add on to our foundation. Lord, thank you for taking the bitter, and making me better. In Jesus Name, amen

 

[Jesustheloveofmylife]

Thanks for that Daniel. It is true every wave that washes over the drift wood adds to the remake of a new shape. The driftwood across time ends up completely different from it's original shape. As hard as this may seem on us as humans we too are like drift wood out to sea. Every moment of our lives new waves of experience come our way each reshaping our souls. The waves moving backwards and forwards like God breathing life. God is always in control and living these experiences right along with us. Thanks Daniel for that inspirational reminder that God knows exactly what he is doing and does know best.