One of the most important keys to overcoming bitterness is to extend forgiveness to the one(s) who wronged you. Bitterness typically begins with some form of disappointment. We feel we have been wronged in a given situation and we become angry at the injustice we have suffered. If not dealt with, anger proceeds into resentment and ultimately, morphs into bitterness.
Bitterness is a cancer. There’s no other way to put it. Left alone, it spreads and wreaks havoc. Bitter people spill their animosity out on others and often poison the hearts and minds of those who hear their venomous words. No wonder the Bible says in Hebrews 12:15, “Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.” (New Living Translation)
Bitterness affects every part of our lives. Physically, it creates stress. Emotionally, it often leads into depression. Socially, it alienates us from others and spiritually, it breaks our fellowship with God and hinders our witness for Christ. To live in bitterness is a violation of the will of God.
The cure? While various things may well be involved, I want to emphasize here the role of forgiveness. After Paul tells us to, “Get rid of all bitterness” in Ephesians 4:31, he writes in v. 32, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
As we consider the grace God has extended to us, despite all our offenses against him, we are motivated to offer that same grace toward those who have wronged us. You may have been deeply wounded by the actions of others, yet the scripture calls us to forgive – even as God has forgiven us. Remember, forgiveness begins with a decision, becomes a process through which we keep offering our feelings of anger and resentment to God until we finally experience forgiveness as a state in which we live - free form the burden of bitterness.
You can overcome bitterness and one of the great keys is forgiveness. How wonderful to know that the Lord would never ask us to do something he would not also equip us to do. You can depend on him. He will help you to get rid of all bitterness.
2 comments:
I really enjoy reading your blog. Forgiveness is really hard. I laughingly say I can carry a grudge for decades, but it's really not all that funny. They call it "Irish Alzheimer's -- forget everything except the slights."
Thank you for the thought-provoking blog.
Jo Ann Wingfield
I appreciate your kind words, Jo Ann. Never heard about "Irish Alzheimer's" before but unfotuantley, many seem to suffer from it!
Forgiveness can be difficult when we've been deeply wounded. One thing I so appreciate is that when God asks something of us, he always enables us to do it, as we lean on him. May God bless you!
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