welcome to today's encouragement from our daily bread reading titled compassion over bitterness was written by Wynn Collier
 when the World Trade Center towers fell on September 11th 2001 Greg Rodriguez was one of the victims who died in the wreckage as his mother Phyllis and his father grieved they also carefully considered their response to such a horrifically attack in 2002 Phyllis met Aisha elwafi the mother of one of the men accused of helping the terrorists Phyllis said she approached her and opened my arms we embraced and cried for Aisha and me there was an immediate bonding we both suffered on account of our son's Phyllis met Aisha amid shared pain and sorrow Phyllis believe that Fury over her son's death appropriate as it was could not heal her in English
 listening to ayesha's family story Phyllis felt compassion resisting the temptation to view them nearly as enemies she desired justice but believed we must release the temptation to seek revenge that off and rips us when we've been wrong the Apostle Paul shared this conviction admonishing Us in the Ephesians chapter 4 to get rid of all bitterness rage and anger along with every form of malice
 as we relinquish these destructive Powers God's spirit fills us with New Perspective be kind and compassionate to one another Paul says in verse 32 it's possible to work for wrongs to be made a right while also refusing rageful Vengeance May the spirit help us show compassion that overcomes betternet
 today's our daily bread devotional scripture reading is from Ephesians chapter 4 verses 25 through 32
 therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor for a we are all members of one body and you are anger do not send do not let the sun go down while you are still angry and do not give the devil a foothold anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer but must work doing something useful with their own hands that they may have something to share with those in need do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs that it may benefit those who listen
 and do not grieve the holy spirit of God with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption 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
 let's pray dear God we can be faced with some very painful circumstances
 circumstances that and have been put on us as a result of someone else's actions in these times please fill us with your love and help us to release the pain to you and respond with compassion instead of bitterness
 thank you Lord It's in Jesus name we pray
 amen
 thanks for listening today I'm Steven and today's encouragement was provided by Our Daily Bread Ministries