OVERCOMING BITTERNESS

OVERCOMING BITTERNESS 

Bitterness is a condition of the soul that causes someone to be angry, resentful, or vindictive. It can also cause one to become unkind and unsympathetic.

 Bitterness is always knocking at the door. It starts as a little seed. Just a little offense. No big deal. If you ignore it, let it go, nothing will come of it. But if you start dwelling on it, thinking of how you can pay them back, now that little seed is taking root. It’s starting to grow, and before long, it will pollute other areas of your life.  Notice bitterness is described as a root. You don’t see a root. It’s underground; it’s hidden. But here’s the problem: a bitter root produces bitter fruit.

Ephesians 4:31 "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice."

The key to fighting bitterness is forgiveness. When you forgive, you let the other person off the hook for their wrongs. You can hand your hurt over to God, who will handle it with perfect justice. Then you can step into freedom instead of being held in the bondage of bitterness.

How to Overcome Bitterness

We live in a world where bitterness is everywhere. 

How do you overcome bitterness?

How does one deal with it? 

How can we get rid of this awful emotion that has the potential to destroy our lives and relationships? 

There are a few Biblical steps to take if you are trying to overcome this awful emotion. 

1. Ask God for Wisdom and Understanding 

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” James 1:5 (ESV).

You need wisdom and understanding to overcome bitterness according to the will of God by knowing what He wants from your life.

Proverbs 2:6 (NIV) “For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.”

2. Trusting God while using the situation for good.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 2:28 (NIV).

When dealing with bitterness, we believe that God uses every event in our lives for His greater purposes and that He will use what we are going through for our good. In James, God tells us that whenever we have a trial of any kind—a difficulty or an emotional struggle—He will give us the strength needed to handle it and ultimately bring about His glory.

God is in control of your life and all the things you are going through.

3. Concentrate on the good in your life 

“Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy—dwell on these things.” Philippians 4:8 (CSB)

The good in your life includes your relationship with God, your new growth in Him, and the people who love you. Dwelling on these things will help heal bitterness. Avoid those things that bring bitterness while concentrating on the good in your life.

4. We should pray for those who have hurt us 

“Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone” Romans 12:17 (NIV)

When you have unproductive thoughts like bitterness, try praying for the person who hurt you.

Jesus teaches us to pray for our enemies in the parable of the tares among the wheat. In this story, Jesus says at first He instructed His servants not to pull up weeds because you don’t know who they are until harvest time.

5. Learn for Forgive at all Times 

“Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32 (NLT)

When being kind, we should make room in your heart to love again. We have all been wronged by someone at some point, but we should not let that experience define us or stop us from being kind.

6. Resist Satan’s false accusations

Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” 1 Peter 5:9 (NIV)“

Resisting Satan and his false accusations in our lives means that we should ask God to help us resist and overcome the lies of Satan. We need to pray for His will to be done instead of ours, it is through prayer that we can find strength.

7. We must repent when bitterness takes over 

“The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;” Psalm 92:12 (NIV).

Repenting your sins (bitterness) can lead to joy and peace in your life. You can repent by confessing your sins and meditating on God’s goodness and favor in your life.

But focus carefully on God’s conviction, and sincerely repent of any sinful attitudes or behaviors you may have, no matter how little in comparison to your offender.

8. Release The Power of Bitterness with the help of The Holy Spirit 

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” Philippians 4:13 (KJV)

The Spirit of God can help you release all bitterness because you cannot do it on your own and have peace and joy in your life. How does The Holy Spirit help you release the power of bitterness?

The Holy Spirit will help you release the power of bitterness when you sincerely repent of any sins and ask for forgiveness.

9. Reflect on God’s goodness and love for you 

“And he said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The Lord.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.” Exodus 33:19 (ESV)

10. Pray to God about your Bitterness and ask for help 

“Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.” John 14:13-14 (ESV)

Pray to God about your bitterness and ask Him to help you fight bitterness and overcome it.

Prayer is a great way to start fighting your bitterness and overcome it as well by talking to God about all of the things that make you bitter, asking Him for forgiveness, and then thanking him for everything good in your life. It’s also important to reflect on these gratitude lists or moments from your life when you were happy so that you can remember all of the good things in your life.

Other ways to fight bitterness

Write down all of the things that make you grateful, such as people who care about you or good moments in your life, and reflect on them to help you fight bitterness.

Spend time talking with friends and family members to remind yourself how much they love you.

Think about what blessings have come into your life because of other people – even if they hurt you at first or didn’t do exactly what was expected of them.