| SoaringWings Ministries |
| Bitterness the Slow Suicide By Chaplain Rod Davis |
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander,
along with every form of malice. (Eph. 4:31)
Someone once said, "To harbor bitterness toward someone is like swallowing poison
and then waiting for that person to die." It seems that we're a society made up of
angry people. If you doubt it, just take a drive in heavy traffic. We are one
stressed-out generation-- filled with rage and eat-up with bitterness.
We're angry with friends, family, fellow employees, employers, and at life in general.
Many of us are even mad at ourselves and exasperated over the results of bad
choices that we've made. We find ourselves echoing the words of David, "For I
know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me." (Ps. 51:3)
We're bitter over the way we've been treated by those around us. Incredibly, we
expect, and even demand, justice from an unjust world! And then we become all bent
out of shape when we don't get it.
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. But take heart! I
have overcome the world." - Jesus (Jn.16:33)
We seem to forget these words of Jesus. The phrase He used was "In this world you
will have trouble." He didn't say, "Maybe you will... " or, "There's a good chance
that you will... " No, he said that we could count on having trouble in the world.
Why? Simple, the world is filled with those pesky little things called... people. And as
you know, people are anything but perfect. They will frequently let you down,
disappoint you, sadden you, lie to you, and break promises. There are times when
someone will downright run over you. Of this you can be sure, but what do you
expect-- perfection from imperfection?
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering,
as though something strange were happening to you.
(1Peter 4:12)
Considering this fact; why should we be hurt and embittered when someone rattles
our cage? Hey, we were warned. We have little control over the cards life deals
us, but as Christians, we do have control over what we do with the cards we
were dealt. I personally know of people who have virtually sacrificed their entire
lives on the alter of bitterness. They've completely surrendered their will to the
ghastly power of bitterness. Bitterness is a deadly cancer that eats away hope and
peace. It's a self-ingested poison that destroys homes, marriages, and
devastates churches.
For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.
(Acts 8:23)
Bitterness is a slow suicide-- laying to waste potential greatness in the Kingdom of
God. It's one of the ugliest forms of pride and is a slap in the face of the One who
"was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb
to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his
mouth. (Is.53:7) It's little wonder that God's WORD admonishes us to "Get rid of all
bitterness."
More food for thought:
"And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so
that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins." - Jesus (Mark 11:25)
"Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us
not into temptation." The Lord's Prayer (Luke 11:4)
"If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and
says, 'I repent,' forgive him." - Jesus (Luke 17:4)
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ
God forgave you. (Eph. 4:32)
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one
another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (Col. 3:13)
This bitterness you hide
It seeps into your soul
And it steals your joy
'Til it's all you know
Let it go
Will you forgive?
Will you forget?
Will you live what you know?
He left his rights
Will you leave yours?
You don't understand it
Let it go
(Let It Go by the Newsboys)
along with every form of malice. (Eph. 4:31)
Someone once said, "To harbor bitterness toward someone is like swallowing poison
and then waiting for that person to die." It seems that we're a society made up of
angry people. If you doubt it, just take a drive in heavy traffic. We are one
stressed-out generation-- filled with rage and eat-up with bitterness.
We're angry with friends, family, fellow employees, employers, and at life in general.
Many of us are even mad at ourselves and exasperated over the results of bad
choices that we've made. We find ourselves echoing the words of David, "For I
know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me." (Ps. 51:3)
We're bitter over the way we've been treated by those around us. Incredibly, we
expect, and even demand, justice from an unjust world! And then we become all bent
out of shape when we don't get it.
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. But take heart! I
have overcome the world." - Jesus (Jn.16:33)
We seem to forget these words of Jesus. The phrase He used was "In this world you
will have trouble." He didn't say, "Maybe you will... " or, "There's a good chance
that you will... " No, he said that we could count on having trouble in the world.
Why? Simple, the world is filled with those pesky little things called... people. And as
you know, people are anything but perfect. They will frequently let you down,
disappoint you, sadden you, lie to you, and break promises. There are times when
someone will downright run over you. Of this you can be sure, but what do you
expect-- perfection from imperfection?
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering,
as though something strange were happening to you.
(1Peter 4:12)
Considering this fact; why should we be hurt and embittered when someone rattles
our cage? Hey, we were warned. We have little control over the cards life deals
us, but as Christians, we do have control over what we do with the cards we
were dealt. I personally know of people who have virtually sacrificed their entire
lives on the alter of bitterness. They've completely surrendered their will to the
ghastly power of bitterness. Bitterness is a deadly cancer that eats away hope and
peace. It's a self-ingested poison that destroys homes, marriages, and
devastates churches.
For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.
(Acts 8:23)
Bitterness is a slow suicide-- laying to waste potential greatness in the Kingdom of
God. It's one of the ugliest forms of pride and is a slap in the face of the One who
"was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb
to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his
mouth. (Is.53:7) It's little wonder that God's WORD admonishes us to "Get rid of all
bitterness."
More food for thought:
"And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so
that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins." - Jesus (Mark 11:25)
"Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us
not into temptation." The Lord's Prayer (Luke 11:4)
"If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and
says, 'I repent,' forgive him." - Jesus (Luke 17:4)
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ
God forgave you. (Eph. 4:32)
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one
another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (Col. 3:13)
This bitterness you hide
It seeps into your soul
And it steals your joy
'Til it's all you know
Let it go
Will you forgive?
Will you forget?
Will you live what you know?
He left his rights
Will you leave yours?
You don't understand it
Let it go
(Let It Go by the Newsboys)
All scripture references are from The New International Version of The Bible
