In Luke chapter 13, the Bible tells us there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth in hell for all those who rejected Jesus while on earth, for all of those who are forever separated from God’s love with no hope of ever repenting of their sins. That’s when it hit me that my life on earth can be hell if I don’t accept Jesus and live by His Word. Let me explain…
I used to get so mad, stubborn, bitter, unforgiving, and even vengeful when life seemed unfair and when my goals and plans weren’t turning out the way I wanted them to. And, I didn’t simply gnash my teeth (grit my teeth) in my heart, I made the angry, gnashing faces as well. I didn’t want to wait for God to work all things together for my good. I wanted my way – now.
I was this way for decades until God began to rescue me from this awful, sinful way of living.
Annie, Faith and Hope, please forgive me for this great sin of teaching you to not trust God when things don’t go your way. I’m truly sorry for planting this awful sin in your hearts. I know that God will help us all to have victory over this important area of our lives and replace the tendency to get angry with His peace, trust, rest and joy.
Mainly in the book of Matthew, the Bible tells us that in the tribulation period, God is going to try to get the unsaved to come to Him as they struggle with all of the terrible circumstances that will be coming on the earth at that time. The Bible tells us that instead of turning to Christ, many will become even more mad at God to the point that they’ll gnash their teeth at Him in their anger. I used to think, “Wow, what will it take for those who gnash their teeth to surrender their will to God and turn to Him for help in their troubled times?” Then, it hit me. Am I prone to not giving God enough time to work His will in my life and become bitter towards Him and others? Do I lean on my own understanding and stop listening to God? Do I gnash my teeth at God in my heart when things don’t go the way I want them to or the way I think they should? Do I turn my back on God and get angry with Him by not believing – and thereby being delivered – by verses like Romans 8:28, by refusing to take thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ, and by not obeying the Word to thank and praise Him in all things?
“Jesus, I realize now that my anger only makes life worse. Please forgive me for getting mad at my circumstances and at You when things don’t go the way I think they should. Please help me to choose to trust You in all things so times of refreshing can come into my life and so I can rest in You knowing that You will always work all things together for my good. Instead of getting angry, as is my tendency, I want to be totally transformed by knowing that, no matter what, You are working all things together for my good. I want to live in the joy Your transforming Word offers me, Lord. Thank You for the supernatural joy Your awesome Word brings to our lives. I praise and thank You, Lord. Amen.”
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28
God bless,
Mark
Note: While we may not agree with everything a particular church or Christian group teaches or believes, there are times when we can be blessed by something outside the realm of our current understanding of God.