A Glorious Beginning (Part 2) By Pastor Faith Oyedepo
Topic: A Glorious Beginning (Part 2)
Dear reader,
Peace and blessings in Jesus name! Last week we looked at some steps to take on the journey to a glorious family life and today we shall be considering others. As you consciously put all you learn from these series of teachings to work, I expect that everything in your life will begin to turn positively in your favour!
Let go of Bitterness
Bitterness is a very little thing that grows into a big mountain. Remember I said that bitterness is at the root of every unforgiveness. For instance, if your spouse or a family member did something to hurt you and you refuse to forgive him or her, every remembrance of the incidence brings pain to you. Watch it! That is bitterness springing up gradually. If it is not dealt with immediately, it will ultimately trouble you. The Bible says: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled (Hebrews 12:15). The term “springing up” connotes a thing that starts small, and then suddenly shoots up. Once bitterness gains access into your heart and it is not handled immediately, very soon, it will magnify itself and dominate you. That shall not be your portion in Jesus’ name.
Another thing about bitterness is that it actually troubles and estranges individuals. You lose your rest to bitterness. If you are bitter against your spouse, when he or she is in the sitting room, you will want to be in the bedroom; there is usually no rest within you.
The spirit of bitterness is what is plaguing so many families today. As you engage in spiritual clean-up, the spirit of bitterness has to give way so that the blessing of God can find its way in your family. The Word of God says: If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me (Psalm 66:18). If you want to experience the blessings that God has reserved for this year, you have to do away with every form of iniquity in your life and family.
Also Read: Fitting the Pieces to Form a Whole (Part 2) By Pastor Faith Oyedepo
Bitterness also makes you fall short of the grace of God. That means, when you harbour bitterness, you are actually frustrating the grace of God in your life. And what are you without His grace? The Word of God says: But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace (1 Corinthians 15:10). You need God’s grace to succeed in your family; so, watch that spirit of bitterness! The following steps will help you overcome the spirit of bitterness:
- Confess your sins and ask God for mercy
- Communicate your hurts with your spouse/family members
- Take a loving approach when doing so
- Be willing to forgive others and ask for their forgiveness
- Ask for God’s grace to avoid the chains of bitterness in the future
Let go of Anger
Another thing that can hinder God’s blessing from reaching your family is anger. We all get angry at one time or the other, but the Word of God says: Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil (Ephesians 4:26-27). By holding on to anger, you open the door to sin. If you are upset about the way your spouse or any of your family members does certain things at certain times, rather than exploding and speaking cruel words which can cause irreparable damage, control your emotions and take a walk or go to your prayer closet until your anger subsides. Anger is like a kettle of boiling water. As long as the fire is on, the water boils hotter. To cool the water, you will need to turn off the source of fire, place the kettle on a cool surface and give it time to cool down. Within a few hours, that formerly boiling water can be drunk straight from a glass. Anger is just like that. Watch it!
You need to be born again to receive the grace of God to do away with those things that can rob you of a glorious family life. If you are not yet born again and you desire to do so right now, please pray this prayer with faith in your heart: Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today. I am a sinner. Forgive me my sins and cleanse me with Your Blood. I accept You as my Lord and personal Saviour. Make me a child of God today. Thank You for delivering me from sin and satan to serve the living God and thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom.
Congratulations! If you prayed this simple prayer of faith with me, you are born again and now a child of God. He loves you and will never leave you. Read your Bible daily, obey God’s Word and seek Christian fellowship (John 14:21).
With this, you are guaranteed all-round rest and peace in Jesus’ Name! Call or write to share your testimonies with me through contact@faithoyedepo.org, 07026385437 OR 08141320204.
For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Marriage Covenant, Making Marriage Work, Building a Successful Home and Success in Marriage (Co-Authored)
“Please click HERE to read other inspiring articles by Pastor Faith Oyedepo”
Pastor Faith Oyedepo is the wife of Bishop David Oyedepo, the founder of the Living Faith Church Worldwide a.k.a. Winners’ Chapel, and Senior Pastor of Faith Tabernacle, Canaanland, Ota, Nigeria.
