Compassion Over Bitterness

Welcome to today's encouragement from Our Daily Bread. Our reading, titled Compassion Over Bitterness, was written by Wynn Collier. When the World Trade Center towers fell on September 11, 2001, Greg Rodriguez was one of the victims who died in the wreckage. As his mother, Phyllis, and his father grieved, they also carefully considered their response to such a horrific attack. In 2002, Phyllis met Ayesha al-Wafi, the mother of one of the men accused of helping the terrorists. Phyllis said she approached her and opened my arms. We embraced and cried.

For Ayesha and me, there was an immediate bonding. We both suffered on account of our sons. Phyllis met Ayesha amid shared pain and sorrow. Phyllis believed that fury over her son's death, appropriate as it was, could not heal her anguish.

Listening to Ayesha's family story, Phyllis felt compassion, resisting the temptation to view them merely as enemies. She desired justice, but believed we must release the temptation to seek revenge that often grips us when we've been wronged. The Apostle Paul shared this conviction, admonishing us in Ephesians chapter 4 to get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, along with every form of malice. As we relinquish these destructive powers, God's Spirit fills us with new perspective. Be kind and compassionate to one another, Paul says in verse 32. It's possible to work for wrongs to be made right while also refusing rageful vengeance. May the Spirit help us show compassion that overcomes bitterness.

Today's Our Daily Bread devotional scripture reading is from Ephesians chapter 4, verses 25 through 32. Therefore, each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. In your anger, do not sin, do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.

Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ, God forgave you. Let's pray. Dear God, we can be faced with some very painful circumstances, circumstances that have been put on us as a result of someone else's actions. In these times, please fill us with Your love and help us to release the pain to You and respond with compassion instead of bitterness. Thank You, Lord. It's in Jesus' name we pray. Amen. Thanks for listening today. I'm Stephen and today's encouragement was provided by Our Daily Bread Ministries.