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What's
That Smell?
Fires can be fun to be around,
but the smell of smoke that gets in your clothing and hair can really
stink. It can't be avoided either. When you get close to any fire, you're
going to get smelly.It's the same
way when we hit a hot spot in life and get burned. You know, those really
tough times that generate a lot of heat and someone always gets hurt? It
could be a really serious argument, a bitter misunderstanding, getting
fired from your job, a divorce, or a million other situations. Whether we
or someone else started the fire, it doesn’t matter. Tempers or emotions
flare and the smoke of the event stinks up your heart and your memory.
For some, the smoke never clears. Have
you ever met someone who could only talk about all of the ways they'd been
hurt and wronged by life? For some, they catalog and recount all the
wrongs they’ve ever experienced. For others, there's that one situation
that has burned a hole in their soul. In both cases, the lack of
forgiveness and healing causes a stink as bad as stale smoke. It's not
pleasant to be around.
In Daniel 3, there's the well-known story
of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. They encounter a hot spot that put them
smack in the middle of a literal fiery furnace. In fact, the furnace they
were thrown into was so hot, the men who tossed them in died from the
heat! Now that's one hot situation.
But these boys maintained their cool and
came out untouched. Those at the scene, "…saw that the fire had not harmed
their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not
scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them" (Daniel 3:27).
Can you believe that? Not even the smell
of smoke was on them! Why is that? Because they held no grudge against the
King and others who had thrown them in the furnace. They had taken a stand
for God and accepted the consequences of their actions while fully
trusting in the Lord to take care of them.
Life hurts because people are sinful.
They will do things to you that will offend you, hurt you, and cause you
senseless pain. And you will do things that hurt others. Pain cannot be
avoided. Even Christians suffer. Paul states in Philippians 1:29, "For it
has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him,
but also to suffer for him…."
When life and others hurt you, you have
only two choices: forgiveness or bitterness. Or, in other words, you can
become smoke free or stink. It's your choice.
Just like smoking cigarettes leads to
cancer and other diseases, carrying grudges, seeking revenge, or
withholding forgiveness all lead to bitterness. And bitterness will
contaminate every part of your life. It will also be offensive to those
around you since no one likes to be around a smelly person.
To be physically healthy, you avoid
smoking. Being spiritually healthy means being smoke free in your heart
and soul.
Ephesians 4:31-32 states plainly, "Get
rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with
every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving
each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."
Forgiveness smells great! It's like the
fragrance after a cleansing Spring rain. Soul-healing starts when you let
the hurts go.
How do you smell? Is there smoke in your
life? Do you carry a grudge like a badge of honor? If so, you're no
martyr. Rather, you’re a slave to sin. In Acts, Peter observed of Simon, a
sorcerer, "For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin"
(Acts 8:23). Since sin leads to death, bitterness is just not worth
holding onto.
Everyone has to pass through the fire
from time to time. It's just the way life is. But, just because you get
burned doesn’t mean you have stay in pain. Forgive and be forgiven, and
let God clear away every trace of smoke. You'll feel better and be
stronger for the next time life heats up.
"…we know that suffering produces
perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope
does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our
hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." (Romans 5:3-5).
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