Hi! I’m so glad you stepped into my corner of the world today. This post is in conjunction with my featured devotional, The Day I Stopped Living for Jesus, by Proverbs 31 Ministries, Encouragement for Today, daily devotions. (Which are free by the way!)

It’s God’s power that breaks every chain in our lives and enables us to live the Christian life victoriously! For example, the chains of anger had imprisoned me for years before I found freedom. I know it’s hard for you to believe since I’m such a sweetie now, but it’s true. (smiles)

I didn’t want to be an angry person. I was trapped by the thing I hated most, and it disturbed everyone near me. Mostly, my family. Until, one day, I became convinced only God’s power could break the fury in my life.

“You can’t do anything right?” I growled through gritted teeth. “I can’t believe you spilled milk all over the floor.” I screamed as my four-year-old daughter looked back at me in fear.

The thing is, it was just milk. I could mop it up. There was no conspiracy on her part. She was simply a little girl and I a selfish, angry mother. I could see pain in her eyes and fear on her face as I towered over her screaming insults. The glimpse of me in her eyes made me feel like a monster. Abandoning the mess, and my daughter in the kitchen, I ran to my bedroom.

Crumpled on the floor in the fetal position, I cried out to God. Tears of repentance flowed down my cheeks. For years, I blamed everyone else for my bitterness- even God. Now, for the first time, I admitted the truth.

“It’s my fault, God! There is no one to blame for my anger but me.”

Thoughts of past failures flooded my mind as I prayed. I knew I didn’t have the power to stop being angry. If God didn’t do something, I was without hope.

“Lord,” I prayed, “if you don’t take this from me, I’ll only sin again. I’ll never change. I’ve tried, God. Oh, how I’ve tried. Only You can set me free.”

As I pulled myself from the ground I felt a shift in my soul. My heart flooded with peace. The warmth of God’s Spirit fell over me. I knew in that moment He had forgiven me and delivered me from the bondage of bitterness.

From that day on I was different. Others noticed. It’s not that I stopped getting upset over things, but something inside had changed that day. I no longer housed bitterness; instead I was growing love, patience and gentleness. Not by my power but by God’s.

Looking back, I asked myself, “What did I do differently? Why was that day different than the other times I prayed asked God to help me?”

First,I made a real connection with God by admitting my weakness and helplessness. I cried to Him, “I’ll never be able to stop. Only you can set me free.” I had come to the end of myself and confessed I was powerless to control my anger.

It’s in a position of weakness that God can make us strong.

Second,I owned my sin. I had never done this before. The blame for my anger was always someone else’s fault. By owning my sin, God was able to release me from the prison I had built with bricks of bitterness and resentment.

The same is true for you. When we remove our sin, we remove the objects blocking our freedom and our fellowship with God.

Finally,my inability to conquer my anger led me to the place of dependency on God. Once I threw my hands in the air and asked God to take the reins of my life, everything changed. And others noticed.

One afternoon, while driving my eldest son home from school he sheepishly told me about a poor grade he received on a test.

“Oh well. That’s how it goes some times.” I reassured. Glancing at him I added, “You’ll do better next time.”

Speechless, a look of surprise fell across his face as he examined me across the seat. I suppose he expected a different response. The “old angry me” would have taken his head off- so to speak. With a quick look at the road, I smiled. Then, looking back at him, I winked.

“You’re different, mom.” He said.

My eyes filled with tears of joy. I once thought I’d never change, but with God change is not only possible, it’s certain.

What does it mean to you that every chain can be broken by the power of God?

How might this truth revolutionize your life?

One reason God sent Jesus to Earth was to bind up the wounds of the broken-hearted. Since healing broken hearts made the list of Jesus’ earthly ministry, I assume there must have been a great need of comfort before His arrival. I was right which doesn’t happen often. I didn’t have to look far to find the first broken heart. Eve. She was the first mother to grieve over the first death, her son.

In our society, being first is a high honor. Everyone want to be “first” to win the race, make the grade or gain the prize for eating the most hotdogs. Well, it’s rewarding for some. Still, no one signs up to experience the first crushed heart.

Unfortunately, broken hearts didn’t stop with Eve. Every person on the face of the earth has experienced the kind of suffocating pain that takes your breath away. Still, when our hearts are shattered into a thousand pieces, God is there. He longs to heal our hurts. Our job is to take our pain to God.

1. Healing begins when we turn to God with our emotions.

One of our go-to emotions is anger. Talking to God about our anger instead of acting on it keeps us from do things we regret later. Confessing our anger also prevents bitterness from taking root in our hearts. Let’s face it. We know bitter people and their disposition doesn’t display a pretty picture. Bitterness stunts our spiritual growth. And, as long as anger rules our hearts we’ll never reach our potential in Christ or our divine destination. Why? Because a heart of anger leaves no room for love. And we are called to love one another.

When I’ve been hurt by someone, I’ve learned to ask God to fill my heart with love for that person instead of hate. That sounds hard, I know, but I challenge you to do this.

Whenever we ask God to so something according to His will, (and we know loving others is His will for our lives) He answers those prayers! It may take some time, but don’t give up!

 2. Next, we must seek to forgive.

Those words are difficult to swallow when we’d like to claw the eyeballs out of the person who has caused us incredible pain. Am I alone here?

When trust is broken along with our hearts, it feels right to pronounce justice. In our aim to protect ourselves, we tend to think along these lines. “Burn me once and shame one you; Burn me twice and shame on me.” When we recite these words, what we’re saying is this.

“Look, because of my good nature, you were able to take advantage of me and you did. Now, you assume you have limitless chances to achieve it again, but I’ve got news for you. There are no more changes. I won’t allow it.”

With this mentality, we build a wall of protection around us built with bricks of anger, hate and bitterness. While it feels right to safeguard ourselves, we’re not only closing ourselves off from others, but from God.

Forgiveness is the only way to heal your hurt and bring down the wall of resentment in your life. Forgiveness doesn’t mean what someone did to you is right. It’s about freeing yourself. Forgiveness is about cleaning your heart of anything that stands between you and your relationship with God. That takes obedience to God’s Word which instructs us to, “forgive others as He has forgiven us” (Matt 6:15). How is that possible? Through obedience. When I’m resistant to forgive, and I choose to obey anyway, my heart will eventually catch up. And I’m better for it.

3. Surviving from grief also involves coming clean of our own sin.

Have you ever had these thoughts about your offender? “I’m right and you’re wrong.” How about, “I would never do what you did?” These assumptions are build on pride. They cause us to think more highly of ourselves than others. This is not God’s plan.

God has called us to humble living and the realization of– if it were not for His grace, we may commit the same act. The bible speaks to this truth. “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful you do not fall” (1 Cor 10:12).

When we confess our pride and walk in humility we’re more likely to extend grace to others. Do they deserve it? Maybe not. But neither do we, and yet, God pours out His grace on the godly and ungodly.

Once we select to lay down our pride, God is able to bring wholeness to our hearts and our souls.

 4. Next, ask God to heal you.

It’s one thing to know God can and is willing to make you whole. It’s another to ask for it, and then, allow Him to work. I had to lay down my desire to get even, take things into my own hands and trust God for justice before peace replaced my pain.

Remember God is close to the broken hearted. He came to bind up our wounds. It is by His strips we are healed. I had to get out of the way and let God be God. He has promised us justice. The battle is His so let Him do the battling as you rest in His care.

5. Finally, comfort others who are hurting.

God allows sorrow in our lives so that we can empathize with the sufferings of others. We’ve been there. We know the depth of the wound that feels as if it will never heal and we can offer hope.

The more we reach out to our friends, family and neighbors with our story and God’s healing power, we not only encourage them, but we mend ourselves and God gets all the glory.

You may not be there yet. That’s okay. Keep applying these steps and know that someone who has been where you are is praying for you today–me.