Studies

1. Suffering can be God’s loving reminder that we have violated His ways: “it is
good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes” (Psalm
119:71).

2. Suffering can be motivation for spiritual growth: “But the God of all grace, who
hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a
while, make you perfect, stablished, strengthen, settle you” (I Peter 5:10).

3. Suffering is preparation for future leadership: “If we suffer, we shall also reign
with him…” (II Timothy 2:12).

4. Suffering also forces us to stop sinning: “Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered
for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath
suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin” (I Peter 4:1).

5. Lastly, suffering is also God’s way of drawing others to Himself: “For Christ
also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to
God…” (IPeter 3:18).

This is our calling when another person offends us.

Resolving Conflicts

God made each one of us with His infinite love and creativity. Our
unchangeable physical features and family features are designed by God
to develop His character in our lives and to build His message through our
lives. (Isaiah 45:9, 10; Psalms 139:14-17)

Turning Bitterness into forgiveness enables us to resolve internal conflicts.
We normally have about 6-7 areas of conflict in life. When we are not experiencing
conflicts our primary goal should be the diligent study and
application of scriptural principles.

One of the most basic human needs is intimate fellowship
with others. When we try to fulfill this need without knowing
or following the freedoms and responsibilities on each level
of friendship, a host of life-long conflicts results, and we miss
the necessary experience of developing genuine friendships.

To make application for turning bitterness into forgiveness we first
must understand what it means to fully forgive and release an offender
emotionally.

Pardon requires authority to cancel consequences (eg., if
someone kills a member of your family, you could forgive
the person, but you will not be able to pardon the person and
provide). Being able to forgive does not give the authority to
pardon.
To fully forgive we must see an offenders needs and apply
God’s solutions

To fully forgive we must want God to benefit an offenders
life.

Understanding forgiveness free’s God to reward us
unexpectedly.


*Personal comment: People who are bitter don’t know it. They call it by different names (i.e., deeply hurt, disappointed etc.), but it is like a poison that destroys a persons life.