Dr. Lawrence Butler

The Bridge Church, Pembroke

There are many different types of disappointments that come our way.

We have seen good people have to go through bad situations, things they did not deserve to come their way. It is these types of circumstances, especially when they come our way, that sometimes cause us to complain to God. We don’t understand why the Lord allowed these things to happen to us.

It seems to me one of the most hurtful and destructive events to our spiritual well-being is that of betrayal. This typically means someone close to us has performed an act that hurt us deeply. I refer you to Psalms 55 where David says, “…it was not an enemy that reproached me” (v.12), but rather a friend. David states that he could have understood the betrayal if it had been an enemy, but the person was not an enemy or one who hated him, but a close friend. It was one who talked to him, who offered advice and went to the house of God with him.

In March of 2023 a young lady who was a former student walked into a Christian school in Nashville, TN, and killed 3 nine-year old students, a substitute teacher, a custodian and the head of the school. A few hours before this article was written another school shooting occurred near Atlanta, GA, where 4 people were killed by a 14 year old student. We wonder what is wrong in this wonderful country that mass shootings continue to happen. Many of those performing these awful acts are hurting from things that have happened to them.

We need healing that can only come from God.

Have you considered the hurt that lingers and festers in the heart of those who have suffered such tragic losses? Let’s allow the Word of God to enlighten us and provide direction to overcome the root of bitterness.

We have a hard time forgiving those who have hurt us because we focus on the event and the people rather than the marvelous event that changed us. Forgiveness is difficult unless and until you realize that God has forgiven you for your ugliness and sin. Sometimes we say, “I forgive you, but I can’t forget it.” God never handled your sin that way. He forgave and never recalled it. He never gossiped about you, never told anyone about it, and never mentioned it to you again. His grace is available to assist you in truly forgiving those wrongs perpetrated upon you.