Bitterness, Critics and Teddy Roosevelt

In the book I’m reading, today's chapter is about holding on to bitterness and being unforgiving to our enemies or people who have done wrong in our lives. He gives five steps to letting go of those feelings: 

Step 1: Accept what happened. 

Step 2: Pray for the person who hurt you (step 2 ties into this mornings unrelated quiet time where I felt led to re read Jobs restoration)

Step 3: Let go

Step 4: Make conscious decisions to forgive 

Step 5: Work to reconcile 

In the next chapter he starts talking about critics in our lives. Of course, one specific name comes to mind when I hear critic. Which ties back into my convictions on feeling like I haven't dealt with the wrong that's been done in my circumstances. I've suppressed it, and haven't been praying for my enemies, much less truly forgiven them. 

I loved the quote from Theodore Roosevelt,

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.” —Theodore Roosevelt 

I need to listen less to the critics and more to the Creator. 

If y'all don't mind, would you pray for my enemies with me and pray for me as I force myself to pray for those that I don't want to pray for? I’d really appreciate it.

I had to pause for a minute. As I typed that sentence one of the guys came in with his devotional book. At the top of the page was Matthew 5:44, the same verse I sent earlier this morning in my quiet time. 

“But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” Matthew‬ ‭5:44‬ ‭

On his devotion for today it also had romans 5:5 

"now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us."

Right as I typed that I didn't want to pray for my enemies, God obviously sent Shannon and his devotional, with the same topic and that verse to remind me that in my own power I may not want to pray for my enemies but resting in the Holy Spirit, He will give me the strength and ability to do it. 

The next step I have to take after this morning’s conviction is to let go and forgive. That’s a lot easier said than done, but God has helped me every step of the way so far and I know He wouldn't tell me to do something He doesn’t intend to help walk with me through. 

I also thought I'd share part two, because God clearly spoke to me through my little prayer when I opened Proverbs and asked Him to speak to me today. I prayed Matthew 5:44 and told Him that I'm trying but I don't know how to pray for them or what to pray over them and that I honestly didn't want to. He reminded me of Romans 8:26 

"likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered." 

My Bible’s study notes say "as a believer you are not left to your own resources to cope with problems. Even when you don't know the right words to pray the Holy Spirit prays with and for you, and God  answers.With God helping you pray, you don't need to be afraid to come before Him. Ask the Holy Spirit to intercede for you according to the will of God. Then when you bring your requests to God trust that He will always do what is best." 

Philippians 2:13 "for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure." 

Study notes: "What do we do when we don't feel like obeying? God has not left us alone in our struggles to do His will. He wants to come alongside us and be within us to help. God helps us want to obey Him and then gives us the power to do what He wants. The secret to a changed life is to submit to Gods control and let Him work. Next time, ask God to help you want to do His will.To be like Christ we must train ourselves to think like Christ. To change our desires to be more like Christ's we need the power of the indwelling Spirit, the influence of faithful Christians, obedience to Gods word and sacrificial service. Often it is in doing Gods will that we gain the desire to do it. Do what He wants and trust Him to change your desires." 

I truly want to do what He tells me to. But in my own power, I can't forgive and find a desire to pray for certain people. It’s clear after my quiet time this morning that He wanted to tell me He is going to help me. The more raw conversations I have with God, the more clearly He speaks to me. If you're struggling, tell Him that you’re struggling. If you have negative feelings about someone, talk to Him about it. Being real with God and telling Him how I feel landed me closer with Him today, as He was obviously eager for me to break down the wall and tell Him I want to pray for my enemies like Job did and like Jesus tells me to in Matthew. I just I don't know where to start and in my flesh I just flat out don’t want to. It’s encouraging when God meets us right where we are and points out verses to drive home His promised help.