When
Jenny’s husband left her for another woman, she vowed that she would never meet
his new wife. But when she realized that her bitterness was damaging her
children’s relationship with their father, she asked for God’s help to take the
first steps toward overcoming bitterness in a situation she couldn’t change.
In
Genesis 16, we read the story of a couple to whom God promised a baby. When
Sarai suggested that her husband Abram have a child with their servant Hagar,
she wasn’t fully trusting God for the child He had promised. When the baby was
born, Hagar despised Sarai (Gen. 16:3-4), and Sarai became bitter (vv.5-6).
Hagar
had been the slave with no rights and suddenly she was special. How did Sarai
react? By blaming others, including Abram (v.5). God’s promise was realized in
the birth of Isaac 14 years later. Even his weaning celebration was spoiled by
Sarai’s attitude (21:8-10).
It may never have been easy for Sarai to have lived with the consequences of their decision to go ahead of God. It may have taken a miracle of grace to change her attitude but that could have transformed everything. Sarai couldn’t reverse the decision, but through God’s strength, she could have lived with it differently, and given God the glory.
By God’s grace, we can reflect His light in the dark times. (RBC)
