Shirley
Bitterness is one of the most destructive emotions that one can carry, and yet it is one of the most deceptive emotions because often times those who are bitter are never even aware of it because it has a way of clinging onto its host like a second skin. It can easily remain hidden and fester gradually without letting the oblivious host know of its presence. Bitterness is also deceptive in that even when we are aware of our bitterness, we often feel justified in being bitter. This is because the breeding ground for bitterness is often when we feel wronged in one way or the other either by life, people, and even God. Bitterness can grow from anything and everything from dissatisfaction, regret, jealousy, hurt, envy, disappointment, failure, loss, poverty, sickness (you or a loved one), death, comparison, rejection, jealousy e. t.c.
Are you bitter in 2022? Bitter because they hurt or disappointed you, bitter because your marriage is not working, bitter because “they” died, bitter because the children of others are doing better than yours, bitter because you are single and you desire marriage, bitter because your friends have better jobs than you, bitter because you are broke, bitter because you hate your job, bitter because you are hurting and you do not know how to confront the person who has hurt you, bitter because you are separated or divorced, bitter because you thought you would be further along in your life, bitter because you are sick, bitter because your spouse is unfaithful, bitter because you cannot give your family the life you imagined, bitter because you feel overwhelmed, bitter because you have a horrible boss, bitter because you think that others have what you think you deserve or want, bitter because you think God listens to the prayers of others but not yours, bitter because they don’t love you back. Are you bitter and disappointed by life or how your life has turned out? Bitter because your friends or siblings are doing better than you in terms of career and lifestyle, bitter because your children are not taking care of you the way you expected yet you gave them everything, bitter because you think your productive days are gone, bitter because you feel you did everything right and life did not reward you like you expected, bitter because you feel forgotten, bitter because you are in pain. Bitter because you try so hard but never get what you want, bitter because life dealt you a hard card, bitter because you are poor, bitter because you do not have children, bitter because your children have forgotten you, bitter because you child won’t behave the way you want, bitter because they hurt you, bitter because you cannot afford the life you dreamt about. We can be bitter just about anything and everything especially during the downs of life or when we feel like you got a raw deal either in your personal or career life.
We must be alert and vigilant when dealing with bitterness because its negative effects are not only catastrophic, but can even be generational if not dealt with. Bitterness is like a poison that sneaks in and if left to fester long enough in someone it has a way of taking its host (him/ her) hostage. It then quickly takes over your life and can have you doing and saying destructive and dysfunctional things you never ever thought possible, and the worst is that it can make you feel justified for acting badly. Further, if bitterness is left unchecked it has a way of turning us into monsters who not only hurt ourselves but also those around us; it has a way of spilling onto everything and everyone around you especially those you hold dearest. The fruit of bitterness is everything from damaged relationships including the one with God, to emotional and physical sickness, to unhappiness, to depression, to turning you into that person no one wants to be around because of the cruelty and nastiness that comes out of your mouth.
So as 2022 is beginning, I ask that you to please evaluate your heart, what is growing there, is it hope or is it bitterness? Ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart for any bitterness that may be hiding in the shadows, and if you find something I urge you to give it to God. Physically we do not have the ability to deal with bitterness, but when we give it to God, He can work on it.
Here is to a bitter free 2022!
Bible readings
Hebrews 12:15
See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.
Psalm 71:20
Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth, you will again bring me up.
Lamentations 3:19-23
I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Ephesians 4:31
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.
Hebrews 12:15
See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. –
Proverbs 27:7
A sated man loathes honey,
But to a famished man any bitter thing is sweet.
Proverbs 31:6
Give strong drink to him who is perishing,
And wine to him whose life is bitter.
Proverbs 5:4
But in the end she is bitter as wormwood,
Sharp as a two-edged sword.
Colossians 3:19
Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them.
Ephesians 4: 31
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.
Acts 8:23
For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.”
Ephesians 4:31-32
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Romans 3: 14-16
“Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”
“Their feet are swift to shed blood;
ruin and misery mark their ways,
Hebrews 12:14-15
Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;
Isaiah 38: 17
Behold, it was for my welfare that I had great bitterness; but in love you have delivered my life from the pit of destruction, for you have cast all my sins behind your back.
James 1: 19-20
Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
I John 1: 9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Ephesians 4: 32
Be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
Romans 12: 2
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Ecclesiastes 7: 9
Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the bosom of fools.
Isaiah 38: 15
What shall I say? For he has spoken to me, and he himself has done it. I walk slowly all my years because of the bitterness of my soul.