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One of my favorite words in the English language is “bittersweet.” It’s sort of like the well-known announcement, “I’ve got good news and bad news. Which do you want first?” This picturesque term always reminds me that many occurrences in life fall simultaneously into the glad/sad category, bringing forth both emotions at once.
When my husband pastored and taught a senior citizens’ Sunday school class some years ago, he heard many of these dear people share one particular verse that comforted them after a spouse or relative or friend died. It was from a description of the new heavens:
“God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4).
This scripture describes the reality and angst of suffering in life, and also the welcomed delights and promised well-being that await God’s people as they spend eternity in His presence.
We may wonder how something can be both bitter and sweet at the same time. It can only be so because of God’s great power and grace! You have probably already experienced that it is God, and God alone, who is able to sweeten what is bitter (Exodus 15:23-25), to make the one who is sad become glad (Psalm 30:11), and to turn something bad into something good (Romans 8:28).
When you are wrestling with despair or when all seems hopeless, put your God-given faith to work and trust in the Lord. Remember to turn to Him in prayer. Your bitter ordeal will be sweetened. In your bad times, when your soul is hurting and your need for God’s gentle touch is at its greatest, or when your heavy heart is the most sensitive, your prayers will be the most sweet and rewarding. Some of your most meaningful fellowship with God will come when you contend with Him over your hurting heart. Step into the heart-wrenching cries of Psalm 55. It contains much-needed instruction for your own hurting, bewildered heart.
Give ear to my prayer, O God, and do not hide Yourself from my supplication. Attend to me, and hear me; I am restless in my complaint, and moan noisily…my heart is severely pained within me (Psalm 55:1-2, 4). Amen.
Remind yourself of God’s faithfulness and presence during difficult times with this printable.
How has God heard your prayers? How has God been faithful to you during a time of suffering?
God is able to sweeten what is bitter.
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Jim and Elizabeth George are bestselling authors and national speakers dedicated to helping people live a life after God’s own heart. Together, they have written over 150 books with more than 14 million copies sold around the world. For over 35 years, the teachings and steadfast example of Elizabeth and Jim have helped countless men and women:
Jim and Elizabeth George are bestselling authors and national speakers dedicated to helping people live a life after God’s own heart. Together, they have written over 150 books with more than 14 million copies sold around the world. For over 35 years, the teachings and steadfast example of Elizabeth and Jim have helped countless men and women:
How did men and women in the Bible accomplish great things for God? There wasn’t any secret formula or bestselling book on success for them. In fact, they were ordinary people like you and me. What made them effective was their willingness to obey God—one decision at a time.
