Bitter vs. Better & Victim vs. Victor

Have you ever found yourself feeling bitter or offended? According to recent surveys, many people in our country are feeling this way.

A while ago, I heard a song for the first time called "What Grace Can Do" by Cochran and Co. The song talks about how God comes running for us even when we feel that we just don’t deserve it. We feel unworthy of God’s love, but he shows it to us anyway. At about the same time I had a new client. I have never had a client as bitter as this man was about life. He felt that he had been a victim of his company, his wife, his children, just about everyone in his life had in some way victimized him in his mind. Because of that, he believed that God had abandoned him. And according to him, "I don't deserve it, I have not earned it. "

So I told him, “You can be a victim or you can be a victor. You can get bitter or you can get better." His response was, "How can that be? You don’t know the things that I have done.”

Well, we have all been blessed with the glorious gift of grace—undeserved and unearned favor. And we need to celebrate and rejoice that no circumstance (past or present) can ever strip us of this lavish gift from God. Scripture says, "Nothing in all creation will be able to separate us from God’s loving presence." It Is his promise!

God is the constant in our lives that provides stability and direction in an unpredictable world. God is the same yesterday, today and forever. So, He is the perfect fixed point for us to focus on while making our way through this ever-changing world. And as we keep redirecting our thoughts to God, He will show us the way forward and give us peace.

He needs to remember that God is with him with each moment of his life watching over him with perfect love. Scripture says that unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord. Even when other things demand our attention, God has been trusting us to be increasingly aware of his presence.

My client needs to make God his primary focus. God is all around us constantly aware of us. He is taking notice of every thought and every prayer. Many things vie for our attention in this busy world, but we must not let those things crowd God out. I have found that directing my thoughts toward God requires very little energy, yet it blesses me immensely. The more I focus on God, the more fully He lives in me and works through me. I need to stay aware of His presence as I walk through each day. I need to stay alert so that I can find the blessings and pleasures He scatters in my path.

My client said, "You're telling me that I need to get right with God first and foremost in my life and everything else will come together?” The answer is yes—that’s what grace can do. Go listen to that song on YouTube!

He responded, "How do I find God's grace?"

I said, "It's not something you seek to find. It is free. All you have to do is accept it and give thanks." Give thanks to God for the gift of every new day. Scripture tells us, “This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Notice it doesn’t say be bitter. It doesn’t say be a victim. We simply need to nurture our thankfulness. It is the royal road to a joyful life. In fact I have discovered that no pleasure is really complete without expressing gratitude for it. I have always believed that it is good to thank people through whom I receive blessings. But I also need to remember that God is the one from whom all blessing flow and I need to remember to praise and thank God frequently throughout every day.

This simple discipline nurtures our soul and enhances our relationship with God. And this provides us with an easy way to draw near to God. And the closer we get to Him, the more joy will come into our life.

The bridge of the song goes like this:

The broken find their breakthrough

The old man is made brand new

The hurting find their healing

That's what grace can do

Who couldn't use a little more grace in their life?