A Bed of Roses

Sometimes things just aren't the way we want them to be. Nothing is going right and we wonder where God is in the midst of it all. After all, the Christian life is not a bed of roses.

Or is it?

I don't know about yours, but my bed still has some thorns in it and every once in a while I roll into a big patch of them. In my stubbornness, I would rather let them remain stuck to me than deal with the pain of having them pulled out - even if it means healing.

For those of you who just got lost in that analogy, let me explain. Choosing to follow God is wonderful in so many ways (a bed of roses) in that God gives us comfort and we are surrounded by the wonderful fragrance of His grace. However, there are still some tough times we have to endure (the thorns).

We can choose to be bitter and unforgiving during those times, or even just have a bad attitude. If we choose that, it is like allowing the thorn to stay stuck in the flesh, eventually causing infection - just like how our bad attitudes will effect our relationships with those around us. Possibly even "infecting" others.

Or we can allow the painful, yet healing process of having the thorns pulled out of our flesh. This happens when we allow God to work in us in those areas that are already quite painful.

This week I had a choice to make - was I going to allow bitterness and unforgiveness fester, or was I going to let go of my stubbornness and begin the healing process? Unfortunately, for a while, I was choosing the former. But staying angry is exhausting! Besides, even though it hurts a little to let go of my stubborn pride, I would much rather watch things heal. I don't like being a mean bitter person anyway. I'm going to roll back over into my petals now, very carefully.

Honey, I'm sorry, sometimes I'm a stubborn jerk and am not willing to extend forgiveness, even though I often need it. I do forgive you. Will you please forgive me?