LIKE DRINKING POISON by NIKKI HAHN

“We harm no one through bitterness as much as we harm ourselves. Someone told me, “Bitterness is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die.” In the face of evil and suffering, responding to God or others with bitterness, distrust, accusations bears no good fruit. Responding in honest brokenness and turning to God in submission, faith, and trust yields untold riches of peace and comfort.” - Randy Alcorn, If God is Good, page 425

If there’s one thing to think of today, please focus on this. Bitterness is like drinking poison. Your hate and anger will only harm you. The poison will spread throughout killing everything that made you a good friend or a good family member. Instead of people enjoying your company, they will talk about how once you were someone filled with light and love.

NIKKI HAHN, AUTHOR/BLOGGER

Don’t let the seed of anger when it first falls from the flowering weed to germinate in your soul. Don’t let it establish roots and take over until no one can recognize you anymore. Today think of the people in your life that have angered and hurt you and release it to God. Let Him handle your hurts. Let Him seal the wound on your heart with His sacrifice on the cross.

Then, answer this question from the same book (If God is Good: Faith in the Midst of Suffering and Evil):"How many of us fail to express gratitude for those ordinary days, wishing instead for something better? If you’ve had a single ordinary day recently, why not thank God for it? Don’t wait for an extraordinary day when you feel wonderful and everything goes your way. That day may not come. And if it does, God’s hand will be no more in it than in all your other days.” - Page 413; Randy Alcorn; If God is Good; Multinomah

Fight unforgiveness by telling God what you are grateful for in your situation. Ask Him to help you forgive and let go. The true path to freedom is by unshackling your soul from the past and taking those first steps forward into your future. It’s by giving others the same mercy He gave you when He sent His Son to the cross for your sins.

Finish this sentence: I am grateful for ________________ in spite of ___________ 

NIKOLE HAHN IS A PROLIFIC BOOK REVIEW & WRITER! PLEASE VISIT HER WEBSITE BY CLICKING HERE.

MORE CHRISTMAS INSPIRATION from DIANE M. LANDRY

Giving of thanks can help psychological well-being

Christmas can be a very depressing time for a considerable amount of people, and for many different reasons. It seems the most joyful time of year, can become a time of great sadness for some. Could it be that a change in focus, an attitude of gratitude could help?

Recent studies indicate that an attitude of gratitude helps the emotional well-being of human beings. For some time now, psychologists rarely delved into the science of giving thanks.

The University of Miami psychology professor, Michael McCullough studied people who were asked to be regularly thankful, stated, “"When you are stopping and counting your blessings, you are sort of hijacking your emotional system."

He noted that some psychologists underestimate the power of simple gratitude. “It does make people happier….It’s that incredible feeling.” The Bible exhorts in many places that it is a good thing to give thanks.

Some psychologists are encouraging their patients to keep a journal writing three things they are thankful for, or that went well during the day. The benefits are evident and long lasting.

“It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and to sing praises unto thy Name, O Most High.” Psalms 92:1 (KJV)

Previously, science found what the Bible stated many years ago, that a merry heart has healing properties, while harboring bitterness, anger or resentment can cause problems in the body. “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.” Proverbs 17:22

Diane Landry, a Christian writer/author of "Granny's Gift," and frequent contributor to Yahoo's AC, has overcome through faith in Christ Jesus, many obstacles in her life. She was abused, divorced and became a singe mother of five, after her husband abused her children. Diane hopes that through her writing, she can bring hope and inspiration to her readers. 
Click here to Contact Diane.
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