“Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph; does my father still live?” But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed in his presence. And Joseph said to his brothers, “Please come near to me.” So they came near. Then he said: “I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt” (Genesis 45:3-4).
Joseph could have been bitter with his brothers, but he chose to keep his heart clean. Rather than get even with them l he gave them the gift of love. Joseph was envied by his brothers, taken away from his father, sold into slavery, and thrown into prison for supposedly committing a crime that he had nothing to do with. Yet he kept his heart clean. Joseph could have been bitter with his brothers but he chose to forgive them. In the end, Joseph’s sorrow was turned into joy because he chose to keep his heart clean. In all the hurt and disappointment that Joseph experienced, he was not remorseful toward his brothers, nor was he bitter with them.
Bitterness is the one thing that will postpone your blessing. It’s like taking poison and waiting for the person you’re angry with to die. Don’t allow bitterness to postpone your blessing. Combat bitterness with love. Bitterness is an action, forgiveness is a choice, but love is a gift. And this is the gift of love: to know that you are loved by your heavenly Father. How can you know for certain that God the Father loves you? Because although you walked contrary to His ways, He did not withhold His Son, His only Son, the Son whom He loved, but gave Him up that you might become sons and daughters of the Most-High.
Heavenly Father, today, I ask that You help me walk in love. Do not allow bitterness to take root in my heart. Help me to love my enemies, bless those who curse me, do good to those who hate me, and pray for those who have put it in their hearts to despitefully use me and persecute me. Lord, You said there is no fear in love; but love casts out fear because fear involves torment. I will devote this day to walking in the love of the Father, as I think about the gift of love You gave me: the gift of Your Son. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen