God Wants to Make the Bitter in Your Life Better

[God Wants to Make the Bitter in Your Life Better](J_gVxvYND:m:1:2618166767:22BCB1BB7AA0F25EF29FEDF3D27C8A9C:r) Current Teaching Series [Living in the Goodness of God](J_gVxvYND:m:1:2618166767:22BCB1BB7AA0F25EF29FEDF3D27C8A9C:r) [Listen to Today's Broadcast](J_gVxvYND:m:1:2618166767:22BCB1BB7AA0F25EF29FEDF3D27C8A9C:r) [God Wants to Make the Bitter in Your Life Better](J_gVxvYND:m:1:2618166767:22BCB1BB7AA0F25EF29FEDF3D27C8A9C:r) By Rick Warren — March 11, 2019 [Facebook](J_gVxvYND:m:1:2618166767:22BCB1BB7AA0F25EF29FEDF3D27C8A9C:r) [Twitter](J_gVxvYND:m:1:2618166767:22BCB1BB7AA0F25EF29FEDF3D27C8A9C:r) [Pinterest](J_gVxvYND:m:1:2618166767:22BCB1BB7AA0F25EF29FEDF3D27C8A9C:r) [Email](J_gVxvYND:m:1:2618166767:22BCB1BB7AA0F25EF29FEDF3D27C8A9C:r) [Devotional image from Rick Warren](J_gVxvYND:m:1:2618166767:22BCB1BB7AA0F25EF29FEDF3D27C8A9C:r) “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28 NIV). We’re all broken people. We’re all imperfect. Sometimes we hurt each other intentionally or unintentionally. Life isn’t fair. Innocent people suffer. Everyone has experienced unfair or prejudicial treatment in some way. How do you respond to it? If you start dwelling on it and stewing, spewing, and worrying, your soul takes a hit. Grudges over what others have done to you will hurt your soul, impairing your thoughts, emotions, and decisions. Resentment, bitterness, retaliation, and revenge will damage you. The Bible actually says that God’s going to even the score. Judgment is coming one day. People who were mistreated, misjudged, or treated unfairly will receive justice. But it is not your job to avenge yourself: “Never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God, for he has said that he will repay those who deserve it” (Romans 12:19 TLB). Unaddressed grudges blind you to how much good God has done in your life. You become blind to the truth. You become blind to the needs of people around you. Your soul will not be restored until you let it go. That’s what Jesus wants to help you do. God wants to restore your soul, taking the bitter things in your life and turning them into better things. Romans 8:28 says, “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (NIV). Of course, we know that not everything that happens to you is good. But can God take the bad things people do to you and use them for good? Yes. Can God take your sins and mistakes and bring good out of them? Yes. Can God take your own weaknesses and your damaged will and work good even then? Yes. Anybody can bring good out of good, but God specializes in bringing good out of bad. God turns your hurts into holiness. He turns your wounds into wisdom. He uses offenses to remove your pretenses. When you believe that God can bring good things out of very bad things, he will begin to rebuild your soul—your broken thoughts, your broken emotions, and your broken will.[PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >>](J_gVxvYND:m:1:2618166767:22BCB1BB7AA0F25EF29FEDF3D27C8A9C:r) Talk About It - What people or situations are eating you up inside because of something they have done to you or didn’t do for you? - What’s the cost to keep mulling over that offense (or those offenses)? - When we pray for others and tune in to God’s heart for them, it’s impossible to hang on to a grudge. Write down each person’s name from the first question and a blessing for each of them. [Facebook](J_gVxvYND:m:1:2618166767:22BCB1BB7AA0F25EF29FEDF3D27C8A9C:r) [Twitter](J_gVxvYND:m:1:2618166767:22BCB1BB7AA0F25EF29FEDF3D27C8A9C:r) [Pinterest](J_gVxvYND:m:1:2618166767:22BCB1BB7AA0F25EF29FEDF3D27C8A9C:r) [Email](J_gVxvYND:m:1:2618166767:22BCB1BB7AA0F25EF29FEDF3D27C8A9C:r) J_gVxvYND:m:1:2618166767:22BCB1BB7AA0F25EF29FEDF3D27C8A9C:r [Our Gift: Verses for Hearing the Voice of God Scripture Box](J_gVxvYND:m:1:2618166767:22BCB1BB7AA0F25EF29FEDF3D27C8A9C:r) You have to know God’s Word if you want to hear his voice and transform your life. That’s why we want to send you the Verses for Hearing the Voice of God Scripture Box to help make memorizing God’s Word a real joy for you. This brand new Scripture Box is constructed with a soft black leather-like material and it comes with a freshly created set of 52 full-color, beautifully designed Bible verse cards based on Pastor Rick’s teaching series, Hearing the Voice of God. When you understand how to hear God’s voice you’ll be better able to . . . • Make wise decisions • Discover and fulfill God’s great plan for your life • Experience the peace of God’s presence • Resist temptation • Be strong under stress • Find comfort when you’re sad • Be a bolder witness to unbelievers [LEARN MORE](J_gVxvYND:m:1:2618166767:22BCB1BB7AA0F25EF29FEDF3D27C8A9C:r) J_gVxvYND:m:1:2618166767:22BCB1BB7AA0F25EF29FEDF3D27C8A9C:r [Complete Audio Series (Purchase)](J_gVxvYND:m:1:2618166767:22BCB1BB7AA0F25EF29FEDF3D27C8A9C:r) Includes 12 full-length teaching CDs from Pastor Rick's series Living in the Goodness of God. [LEARN MORE](J_gVxvYND:m:1:2618166767:22BCB1BB7AA0F25EF29FEDF3D27C8A9C:r) J_gVxvYND:m:1:2618166767:22BCB1BB7AA0F25EF29FEDF3D27C8A9C:r [Series Summary](J_gVxvYND:m:1:2618166767:22BCB1BB7AA0F25EF29FEDF3D27C8A9C:r) Message 1: Is God Really Good All the Time? Message 2: Letting God Meet My Needs Message 3: Relaxing in God’s Goodness Message 4: How God’s Goodness Can Restore You Message 5: How to Be Led by God’s Spirit Message 6: The God of My Valleys Message 7: How Jesus Treats His Sheep Message 8: How God Lifts Me Up When I’m Worn Down Message 9: Living an Anointed Life Message 10: From Overwhelmed to Overflowing Message 11: Why You Don’t Need to Fear Your Future Message 12: Heaven: God’s Eternal Goodness to You [PLAY TODAY'S BROADCAST](J_gVxvYND:m:1:2618166767:22BCB1BB7AA0F25EF29FEDF3D27C8A9C:r) Pastor Rick Warren [Facebook](J_gVxvYND:m:1:2618166767:22BCB1BB7AA0F25EF29FEDF3D27C8A9C:r)[Twitter](J_gVxvYND:m:1:2618166767:22BCB1BB7AA0F25EF29FEDF3D27C8A9C:r) [Instagram](J_gVxvYND:m:1:2618166767:22BCB1BB7AA0F25EF29FEDF3D27C8A9C:r) [Linkedin](J_gVxvYND:m:1:2618166767:22BCB1BB7AA0F25EF29FEDF3D27C8A9C:r) Enjoy today's Devotional? [Listen instantly to the full radio message at Daily Hope Radio.](J_gVxvYND:m:1:2618166767:22BCB1BB7AA0F25EF29FEDF3D27C8A9C:r) Did someone forward this devotional to you? [Subscribe to Pastor Rick Warren's Daily Devotional.](J_gVxvYND:m:1:2618166767:22BCB1BB7AA0F25EF29FEDF3D27C8A9C:r) This devotional is based on the current Daily Hope radio series at [pastorrick.com](J_gVxvYND:m:1:2618166767:22BCB1BB7AA0F25EF29FEDF3D27C8A9C:r). Rick Warren has helped people live with hope and on purpose for more than 40 years. He’s the founding pastor of Saddleback Church in Southern California and author of several books, including The Purpose Driven Church and The Purpose Driven Life, which has been translated into 137 languages and sold more than 50 million copies in all formats. He created the PEACE Plan (plant churches of reconciliation, equip servant leaders, assist the poor, care for the sick, educate the next generation), which is used by churches in 196 countries. His radio teaching and daily devotional, Daily Hope, is offered around the world. This devotional © 2018 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission. You can unsubscribe at any time by changing your e-mail preferences. This message was intended for: {EMAIL} You were added to the system December 23, 2016. [Unsubscribe](