How many times have you seen something horrendous on television that made you immediately change the station? Sometimes you need to go through so many channels before you can find the right station that will allow you to forget the troubling image you just saw. There's a strong psychological lesson to be learned here.
In life we have two proverbial networks at our disposal; the network of fear and the network of faith.
Mark 4:40
And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?
1 John 4:18
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
In Mark, we clearly see the diametric relationship between fear and faith. One reigns while the other is trampled on. Both fear and faith carry many traits but for today I will just speak of bitterness and gratitude.
Hebrews 12:15
Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
Ephesians 5:20
Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
Bitterness and Gratitude
Bitterness is defined in the web as "a feeling of antagonism, hostility, or resentfulness."
Gratitude is defined in the web as "the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness."
When one is completely immersed by bitterness, one is unable or has trouble in rising above their proverbial dark cloud to see the Son-light. Similarly, when one is living in gratitude, one dwells in thankfulness. They don't dwell on the negativities. Emphasis on dwell, as in resides or stays in bitterness.
We should place a valiant effort in 'changing the bitterness channel' whenever we hold resentfulness. There's more and more things for us to be thankful about. Write them down if you have to and thank our Lord for them. Yes, it may not be easy at first, but I'm personally discovering that the channels from the so-called Fear Network are fewer and fewer.
Change your channel. Don't subscribe to the bitterness channel.
Thank You Father! Thank you friends for reading.
In life we have two proverbial networks at our disposal; the network of fear and the network of faith.
Mark 4:40
And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?
1 John 4:18
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
In Mark, we clearly see the diametric relationship between fear and faith. One reigns while the other is trampled on. Both fear and faith carry many traits but for today I will just speak of bitterness and gratitude.
Hebrews 12:15
Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
Ephesians 5:20
Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
Bitterness and Gratitude
Bitterness is defined in the web as "a feeling of antagonism, hostility, or resentfulness."
Gratitude is defined in the web as "the quality of being thankful; readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness."
When one is completely immersed by bitterness, one is unable or has trouble in rising above their proverbial dark cloud to see the Son-light. Similarly, when one is living in gratitude, one dwells in thankfulness. They don't dwell on the negativities. Emphasis on dwell, as in resides or stays in bitterness.
We should place a valiant effort in 'changing the bitterness channel' whenever we hold resentfulness. There's more and more things for us to be thankful about. Write them down if you have to and thank our Lord for them. Yes, it may not be easy at first, but I'm personally discovering that the channels from the so-called Fear Network are fewer and fewer.
Change your channel. Don't subscribe to the bitterness channel.
Thank You Father! Thank you friends for reading.
