OVERCOMING BITTERNESS AND ANGER!

15th JULY 2022

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

Bitterness is synonymous with resentment and envy. The story of Cain and Abel tells it all. Cain became consumed by bitterness for his brother and killed him out of hatred.

This classic story warns us of the sinful essence of bitterness and conversely have humility while in despair.

The chief reason we could be bitter is uncontrolled anger when we can’t get what we want. We are also angry with others due to envy, or when we feel others shouldn’t have or demonstrate certain gifts or talents. Uncontrolled anger turns into bitterness. Bitterness is a sin and can also cause severe damage to your body, e,g, the liver. For instance, constant bitterness can make a person ill, and holding onto bitterness can affect metabolism, immune response or organ failure.

Two signs that you could be bitter are; strong negative emotional reactions to things other people say or do around you, and when you complain about virtually everything. To know if any person around you is bitter, watch out for the following signs in them:

·   They hold a grudge like their life depends on it.

·   They complain often, virtually about everything.

·   They are not grateful for anything in their life.

·   They want only bad things for those who hurt them.

·   They are jealous of others.

·   They can’t share in someone else’s joy.

Forgiveness cures bitterness. Forgiveness enables you to let go of grievances, grudges, rancour, and resentment. Purge out bitterness by doing these:

1. Find out what gets you annoyed,

2. Stop envy and jealousy.

3. Be contented and stop complaining.

4. Be grateful for the little you have,

5. Change your perspective.

6. Choose a positive mantra, e.g., say to yourself daily, “I bear no grudge or resentment in my heart”.

Nevertheless, if someone around you is bitter, do these:

1. Don’t confide in him/her. They don’t deserve your trust.

2. Do not sympathize with their course; They complain always.

3. Don’t be rude, but don’t always agree with them, they usually want to have their way.

4. Counsel them, and talk to them about it.

Anger and bitterness affect material growth. Bitterness will harden, break, and destroy the good in your life. Bitterness erodes optimism, shatters joy, and kills our ability to love others. A bitter person lives in a land of spiritual and material poverty. Therefore, learn to control your situations and relinquish to God what is out of your control, for it’s not all the time we can get all we want.

PRAYER

In the name of Jesus Christ, Father cleanse me of every bitterness and strengthens my heart with forgiveness and gratitude. AMEN

FURTHER READING: Hebrews 12:15; Colossians 3:8; Ecclesiastes 7:9; Ephesians 4:32