The Cost Of Bitterness - Asaph

I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside. I was so foolish and ignorant—I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you.

Psalm 73:21-22

Though comedian Buddy Hackett openly confessed that he’d had a few arguments with people in his day, he maintained that he had never indulged in bitterness or grudge holding. The reason? “While you’re carrying a grudge,” he said, “they’re out dancing.”

Bitterness causes more damage to our relationships, health, and souls than almost anything else. Bitterness tears down the best human relationships. It damages and destroys friendships, family relationships, business partnerships, marriages, and Christian ministries.

Asaph, a leader of David’s choir and the author of Psalm 73, well understood the destructive power of bitterness.

Asaph had seen plenty of evil and violence in his day, and what he saw angered him so much that he complained to God asking why he allowed evil people to prosper. He felt angry and frustrated and wondered if there was any point in living a righteous life.

Even as he complained about the injustices he saw, Asaph had a moment of clarity. He realized that he had become bitter over everything he had seen, and it embarrassed him: “I was so foolish and ignorant,” he confessed. “I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you” (Psalm 73:22).

Asaph realized that his bitterness had cost him—if only temporarily—part of his humanity.

Asaph rightly felt a sense of righteous indignation at the evil he saw all around him, but he realized that he had crossed a dangerous line when he allowed the wicked things he saw to consume him and bring him to a point of bitterness.

Even the people you love the most will sometimes do and say things that anger you. When that happens, you have a choice either to deal with the anger wisely and righteously or to allow it to grow into bitterness. Bitterness may feel good for a moment, but it always consumes the one who indulges in it. Respond to life’s injustices with forgiveness and compassion, and you’ll cut out the cold, black heart of bitterness.