Recently, I did a quick study on bitterness. I began with familiar scriptures Mark 11:25-26 and Hebrews 12:14-16 dealing with unforgiveness and bitterness. The Message translation stated the problem plainly:
"Work at getting along with each other and with God (pursue peace with all men). Otherwise you'll never get so much as a glimpse of God. Make sure no one gets left out of God's generosity (you can miss the GRACE of God). Keep a sharp eye out for weeds of bitter discontent. A thistle or two gone to seed can ruin a whole garden in no time."
As I meditated on the scriptures, I asked the Lord "What does bitterness look like?" I got a simple response, go to the dictionary... As I looked up bitterness and discontentment in the dictionary, I found some profoundly simple definitions:
Bitterness (to bite)
1. being relentlessly determined
2. exhibiting intense animosity
3. marked by forceful energy
4. intensely emotional
Discontentment
1. A restless aspiration for improvement – you cannot rest about an issue
As I looked at these definitions, I discovered that they were much different that what I've been taught about bitterness. If you know you are not at peace with certain people or a certain issue, if you believe that you are missing the grace of God in your life, you may be struggling with bitterness! If you think you've grown bitter due to offense, injustice, church hurt, or persecution, then these practical steps will cause you to be able to forgive, to regain your peace of mind and have the grace of God restored to your life.
In order to get past bitterness, you must:
1. Forgive the person or situation that wronged you – release them to the Lord.
2. Forgive yourself for the part that you played, stop beating yourself up.
3. Freely receive the forgiveness of the Lord – His blood already shed for you.
4. Release the situation (injustice, error, hurt,disobedience) to the Lord.
Cast your cares upon the Lord; the battle belongs to Him!
Finally, we have to trust God with the outcome of the bitter situation. Sometimes repentance and reconciliation don't come quickly. We have to be patient with those who may have offended us and be careful not to get caught in the snare of bitterness. Just as God gave you the time needed to get it together, give those who may have hurt you time and space to repent.
Until next time, pursue peace with all men!
God Bless You and Be Free Today!
Ken
