Overcoming Bitterness

Bitterness. No one wants to admit they are feeling bitter. I know I didn’t, but it got to the point if I didn’t acknowledge that feeling and deal with it, it would have eaten away at me. The definition of bitter is to be angry, hurt, or resentful because of a bad experience or unjust treatment. When you feel there is unfairness in your life certain things can make you feel bitter.

Whether it be the loss of a job, being treated badly by someone you love or, in my case, losing a child, bitterness can set it. It did with me and I felt guilty for feeling this way—because I should know better. In reality though, we are all human and have these emotions. What’s important is how we respond to these emotions.

"Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you."

Ephesians 4: 31-32

Healing from Bitterness

---

In my own life I saw God constantly trying to work being hurt and bitter out of me. I was sitting in a doctor's office with my daughter, Esther, and a mom with twins walked in. To me, I felt God was rubbing twins in my face; my mind knew better, but my heart wasn't there yet. It was my daughter Majesty's first day of school and right next to me was a mom standing with her boy and girl twins. My eyes filled with tears and my heart screamed, “God!  Why do you keep doing this to me?!” It happened so often that even other people would notice! I had to make the choice in those moments to either get more bitter or get healed!

It’s been a process, but God has shown me this is something He wants me to heal from. When I decided to write these feelings, I didn't tell anyone, but people were coming to me with their own feelings of bitterness. That was confirmation for me that this is something God wants to heal us from!

“My bitterness will turn into peace. You save my life from all danger; You forgive all my sins.”

Isaiah 38:17

Replace Bitterness with Forgiveness

---

The Bible is the Truth, so if God promises that my bitterness will turn into peace I trust Him. I believe God allows us to be put in certain situations for our own good, for a healing we may not know we even need. Whatever situation you are feeling bitter about, you have to know God wants to turn it into peace. He can't do that though if we don't give it to Him and if we’re not honest with even ourselves about how we are feeling.

Forgive that person who hurt you even if you don't feel it yet. Sometimes you feel hurt and bitter towards God. Let Him know that—I guarantee He already knows! Forgive yourself also. Open your heart and forgive, and it will lead to peace and joy that will replace hurt and bitterness.

As a church we do not believe in doing life alone. We want to pray with you.

To submit a prayer request visit

www.legacychurchri.com/prayerandpraise

*****