Bitterness

Bitterness can look different for different people. Some ways we can identify bitterness in our lives are:

Your words are not encouraging, gracious, kind, and true.

The people you are around are miserable and bitter.

You keep reliving past hurts.

You are physically ill.

Anger towards yourself/others.

Overwhelming feelings of disappointment, sadness, and guilt.

Bitterness can sneak up and take root in our lives in ways we were not aware of. Sometimes we are bitter for so long, we don't even remember why we were mad, to begin with. Sometimes we hold on to bitterness for years and never tap into why we were mad or try to figure out what about that person/situation was so bad that we allowed it to steal our joy. If one person or situation can steal your joy, (I'm not talking about happiness; that can be situational) I mean joy, it comes from deep within. Something we carry in our hearts and spirit. If your joy has been taken away from another person; you need to reevaluate, friend. Others should not be stealing our joy because all our hope, love, peace, JOY, should never be placed in another human, to begin with. We are fickle creatures. If we depend only on others for things that can only be fulfilled through Christ, then yeah, I bet you are disappointed and bitter.

If we can't stop gossiping, judging, or being outright mean to someone then we can usually be honest with ourselves and acknowledge that comes from an ill feeling towards that person.

I do not know your hurts. I'm not saying that what has happened to you is okay. I'm not saying to forget what someone has done to you. I'm saying forgive. Move on.

We know that our words should build others up, be appropriate for the occasion, and give grace to those we are talking to. (Ephesians 4:29)

We know the people around us should be there to inspire us in bettering ourselves in Christ. (Proverbs 13:20)

We know we should forgive those who have sinned against us because we have been forgiven by God. (Matthew 6:14)

We know that bitterness is harmful to our health. (Proverbs 14:30)

We know we should put away all anger, bitterness, clamour and evil speaking. (Ephesians 4:31)

We know we do not have to be overwhelmed by guilt, but rather we should be happy because we have been pardoned. (Psalm 31:1-2)

If we know all of these things, and they are backed up by scripture, which is absolute truth, then why are we still choosing to harbor bitterness? Why would you have any "symptoms" of a bitter person?

Bitterness is not beneficial. Not to you, or to the person who wronged you.

What are we called to do? Love one another. Love can be demonstrated through forgiveness. I'm not saying you have to become their new best friend but you do need to love them.

"Be ye kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." - Ephesians 4:32

"Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive." -Colossians 3:13

I am praying for those of you who have been harboring bitterness.

Forgiveness doesn't mean whatever was done is okay. It means that you are extending to others the same grace that was extended to you. We didn't deserve to be forgiven, but we have been- and not just a little bit. We have been completely forgiven.

Who have you been harboring bitterness toward?

Release that bitterness today. God can reconcile those hurts.