Special to the Daily Times
May 08, 2008 01:07 pm
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Q: I know you’ll say it’s wrong to be filled with hate and bitterness, but I had a very rough time growing up and I just can’t help it. God must have hated me very much to put me through all that and I’m sure He still hates me because of my attitude. What would you say to someone like me? – N.R.
A: The most important thing I can say to you is that God loves you – and because He loves you, He does not want your life to be poisoned any longer by hatred and bitterness.
And that’s what they are: poisons that will eat away at your soul and turn you into an unhappy, sour person who never knows any lasting joy or peace. The Bible warns, “See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many” (Hebrews 12:15). Bitterness, anger, hatred, jealousy – they all will twist your soul and cut you off from others and from God.
God doesn’t want this to happen to you. Listen: He didn’t make your early years miserable – other people did. Instead He wants to heal those hurts and He wants to cleanse your soul of these poisons and fill you with His peace. Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you” (John 14:27).
Is this possible? Yes – and the reason is because Jesus Christ was willing to die for you. He endured the worst that men could do to Him – far worse than you and I will ever have to face. And yet He was willing to do it so we could be forgiven and saved. Bring your bitterness and anger to Christ and lay them at His feet. Don’t be chained by the past any longer, but commit your life to Christ and ask Him to fill your life with His love.
Send your queries to “My Answer,” c/o Billy Graham, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, N.C., 28201; call (877) 2-GRAHAM, or visit the Web site for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association: www.billygraham.org.
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