HOW TO OVERCOME BITTERNESS

Bitterness is a negative emotion that may eat away at anyone’s soul, robbing them of joy and happiness. It is a feeling of anger and resentment that is usually directed towards a person or a situation that has caused hurt or disappointment. Bitterness can be a tremendously destructive force in a person’s life, affecting relationships, health, and spiritual growth. So how do we overcome bitterness?

Bible’s Solution for Bitterness

Bitterness is frequently related to a lack of forgiveness in the Bible. The author of Hebrews advises us to "watch out that no bitterness takes root among you, for as it springs up it causes trouble, and many are defiled by it" (Hebrews 12:15). The apostle Paul also admonishes us to “get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice” (Ephesians 4:31). Bitterness, according to these verses, can rise to other unpleasant emotions and behaviours such as anger, resentment, and gossip.

Bitterness appears to be something we must deal with. So, how do we get rid of bitterness in our lives? Here are some biblical principles that may be of help:

Forgive others

Jesus tells us to forgive others in the same way that we have been forgiven. (Matthew 6:14-15). Forgiveness is difficult, yet it is required if we are to overcome bitterness. We enable bitterness to take root in our hearts when we harbour grudges and refuse to forgive. Even though it is difficult, we must choose to forgive people.

Seek reconciliation

Also, if at all feasible, we should try to make amends with the individual who has given us so much pain or disappointment (Romans 12:18). This may necessitate humility and vulnerability on our part, but it is well worth it in order to repair broken relationships and encourage healing.

Focus on the positive

Furthermore, rather than concentrating on the negative, we should concentrate on the positive. We might choose to focus on the positive aspects of our existence, such as our blessings and the people who care about us. This can help us adjust our perspective and keep resentment at bay.

Pray

We should pray to God for help in overcoming bitterness. We should pray to Him for the courage and wisdom to forgive others and go forward in a positive manner. We can also beg Him to repair and restore our relationships and our hearts since bitterness is poisonous to the heart.

Bitterness is a powerful emotion that can have serious consequences. That’s why I have committed a whole eight parts series to it on this blog.

We can overcome bitterness with God’s help, and find joy and peace in our lives. By forgiving others, seeking reconciliation, focusing on the positive, and praying, we can free ourselves from the destructive force of bitterness and embrace the abundant grace that God has in store for us.

May the Lord mend our nets!

Read the complete series on bitterness here

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