Bitterness

What should I do with the bitterness I feel?

God’s Response

When you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too. Mark 11:25

It is time to forgive him and comfort him. Otherwise he may become so discouraged that he won’t be able to recover. 2 Corinthians 2:7

After someone has wronged you, time will either harden your heart, making you bitter and unyielding, or it will soften it, giving you a desire to restore the relationship. If someone has betrayed you recently, is your heart growing hard, or are you willing to yield for the sake of peace? When Jesus was asked how many times we should forgive others, he said, “seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:22). Perhaps he meant that constant willingness to forgive is the only way to mend a bitter spirit and achieve healing and restoration.

God’s Challenge

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of malicious behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:31-32