Dealing with Difficulties – Bitterness

One description of bitterness is ‘lack of sweetness’.

Bitterness is anger, that has settled in for the long term. Anger is an emotion that can be used for good – for example ‘righteous anger’ which arises when we see unjust things happen. However, when it Is allowed to fester unchecked, it may allow the seeds of something worse to grow ‘bitterness’.

It can become like a weed, if left to grow unchecked, can work its way deep into minds and emotions.

Hebrews 12 verse 15: “Exercise foresight and be on the watch to look (after one another), to see that no one falls back from and fails to secure God’s grace (His unmerited favour and spiritual blessing), in order that no root of resentment (rancour, bitterness or hatred) shoots forth and causes trouble and bitter torment, and the many become contaminated and defiled by it.” Another version “Watch over each other to make sure that no one misses the revelation of God’s grace. And make sure no one lives with a root of bitterness sprouting within them which will only cause trouble and poison the hearts of many”

The most awful thing about bitterness is, it damages our relationship with Our Lord and Our Friend.

Bitterness and any other bad fruit in our lives, needs to be handed over to Our Lord and Our Friend, with a repentant heart, to allow Him to help heal our wounds.

Ephesians 4 verses 31 to 32: verse 31 “All bitterness, anger and wrath, insults and slander must be removed from you, along with all wickedness.”

Verse 32 “And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.”

We see our Lord and Friend has given us a key here so that bitterness cannot grow in our hearts. Forgive one another. I have heard it said that unforgiveness is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die. Also, unforgiveness is like a prison cell and the key is on the inside; we have the power to let ourselves out by forgiving those who have wounded us. The Holy Spirit is our very present Helper in time of need, , by His grace, He will help us to forgive those who’ve hurt us,

There might be times in our lives when we feel justifiably angry, but don’t let anger take control, and grow the root of bitterness. Jude tells us to ‘keep ourselves in the love of God”.

Our Lord and Our Friend has said, he is faithful and just to cleanse us of all unrighteousness, as we confess our sins {wrong doings}. 1 John 1 v 9:

It is best to keep short accounts with Him, which will allow us to walk in peace and joy, causing the Fruit of The Spirit to mature in our lives.

God Bless.

Kath