Week 290

Positive post Sunday, September 11, 2022- Week 290.

I have heard the saying, “Better not Bitter” several times over these past few weeks. It was used in a homily at church, posted on Facebook and I remembered reading it in a book. So, I looked back at a few of the books I recently read, and sure enough there it was on page 196 in one of my all-time favorite books, “THE PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE” by Rick Warren (See PPS 104, 107 and 158).

Warren views his book as a “Guide to a 40-day spiritual journey” and on day 25, titled Transformed by Trouble, he notes that God has a purpose behind every problem we encounter in our lives. He goes on to suggest that “many people become bitter, rather that better, and never grow up. You have to respond the way Jesus would.” I encourage you to read this book, it will help you answer the question “What on earth am I here for?”. Day 25 helps us seek a deeper understanding of the purpose behind the challenges we face in our life and how we might grow from them, getting “Better not Bitter”. I have certainly grown from the many challenging experiences I have had in my life.

While researching (a formal way of saying googling) “Better not Bitter”, I was reminded of another very powerful example of how a young man turned an injustice into a life mission of service to others that we should all be familiar with, and more importantly, that we all can learn from. If you are not familiar with the “Exonerated Five”, I encourage you to read this book written by Yusef Salaam just last year.

I could not even imagine going through the experience the Exonerated Five endured, and I am amazed at how Salaam has grown from this challenge into an educated servant leader, truly God’s work. Here is a quote from the book that resonates with me and gives us all perspective on how to grow from the deepest troubles we experience in life. “I believe that everything that’s happening TO you is actually happening FOR you. Everything we experience in life – from our greatest joys to our deepest pain and hardship – is shaping and creating us.” In an interview, Salaam shared a quote from Nelson Mandela that also provides insight into how not to respond to challenges, “Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies.” ― Nelson Mandela.

And one final link to help us be “Better not Bitter” from the One Percent Better Team titled “HOW TO BE BETTER, NOT BITTER (IN 9 WAYS)”

1. Take Away a Lesson

2. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help

3. Forgive Yourself

4. Be Willfully Ignorant

5. Embrace Differences

6. Hold Yourself Accountable

7. Learn to Love Change

8. Avoid Bitter People

9. Exercise

How do you find purpose behind the challenges you face in your life and how might you grow from them?

Do you get “better” from the challenges you face, or “bitter”? The choice belongs to you!