March 8, Friday ~ Giving Up Bitterness

DAY 21: Giving Up Bitterness

Scriptures Link:

• Matthew 6:12-15

• Hebrews 12:12-17

• Luke 15:25-32

Today, we are giving up bitterness. As I write this, I have a lump in my throat just thinking about the times that bitterness flooded my mind, swept into my heart, and stole my peace, my love, and my ability to forgive, both myself and others. Those dark times are branded in my heart, leaving thick, bulging, burn scars that have no elasticity, no ability to move and stretch or become anything other than painful reminders of wrong turns in relationships.

Gary Heikkila says “The ‘root of bitterness’ grows in the soil of hurt that has not been properly dealt with.” How true. How very true. We don’t know how long the prodigal son lived in bitterness before he sunk down deep enough in the pig slop that he crawled back to his father on knees bent heavy with forgiveness. How long did bitterness reside in the older brother's heart after his father threw the huge party for the “loser” brother? A part of me wants the answers to those questions so that I will have a yardstick for my own healing.

But that is not how God works in our lives. Our hope for restoration comes from God’s unconditional love in Jesus Christ. There is not a punch card or time-line for Ephesians 4:31-32. “Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of malicious behavior. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”  

Forgive yourself as often as you need to. Reach out for God’s strength in forgiveness to move forward in love. Feel free to use the instruction book found in Colossians 3:12-13 to uproot bitterness in your life.

“Since God chose you to be the holy people whom he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. You must make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.” 

At any point if you are feeling overwhelmed by this content or just want to have a further discussion about the topic, feel free to contact pastormattbridges@gmail.com or wendy@encompassthespirit.com