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“But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord God my refuge.”  Psalm 73:28

With so many of us struggling right now, it’s easy to look around at others with eyes and hearts of envy. Whether our battles are with health, family circumstances, or finances, we can slip into frustration, despite our faith. We glance left and watch the ungodly prospering in every way. Then our view shifts right to see the mockers of God “have it all.”

Gratefulness for our own blessings fades away, and envy sets in. Bitterness can take root. We begin perceiving our reality as “less than”—and we may find ourselves even crying out to God, “Why them and not me? Why is she being healed, and I’m not? Why is that person getting away with evil?”

In Psalm 73, Asaph wrote of the abundance of the wicked he witnessed around him—and he admitted the jealousy he felt amid the suffering and lack in his own life. It’s only when this Psalm writer stopped looking around and turned his face back to the Lord that he remembered the Truth. This world is a drop in the eternity bucket. Asaph acknowledged that the evil will be judged by our perfect, Holy God, yet he (and all believers) will be welcomed into glory. He shifted his focus to an eternal perspective.

Moreover, Asaph relishes in the relationship he has with the Lord today—and so can we. The closer we are with Jesus in the moment, the more difficult it is for us to be bitter. I mean, what greater joy is there than eternal life through Jesus? And what other relationship is as steadfast and unshakable than that which we have with our Lord? He is our strength, and He will never leave us or forsake us—no matter what our current circumstances look like.

So, let’s replace bitterness with something much better: thankfulness for our Savior and His grace, and for the confident hope of our glorious future.

“Lord, thank you for your unfailing love, amazing grace, and relentless mercy. Help me to keep my eyes on You, and please sever any roots of bitterness clinging to my soul.”

For His Glory

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Life