Bitterness is one of life’s issues that everyone has to come face to face with at some given point in time unless you are reading this from the moon. The fact of the matter is that it is one of the most dangerous issues of life if it is not dealt with, with wisdom.
I have come across many bitter people but who could possibly be the most bitter man to ever walk the face of the earth? Whensomeone goes through circumstances like betrayal, rejection or hurt and holds on to it, it then turns into bitter feelings within them.
The most hurtful rejections in history are the rejections that were faced by the Son of the Living God. He was first rejected by His own creation and then rejected by His own Father on the cross. How much more humiliating could it be for the glorious Creator to be limitedin a perishable body. He left His throne to save the very people that would reject Him, rip His flesh off and then pierce Him again as He lay dying.
If Jesus was not the Son of God, then the bitter most man in this world would be JESUS! But He said, “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they do!” That very forgiveness ripped apart the heavenly places destroying demonic strongholds and the very roots of bitterness!
Yet sadly, today we allow the enemy to sow seeds of bitterness in our life, defiling our walk with God.
Product of Circumstance
The question we must ask ourselves is, are we molded by our circumstances? I know of a pastor who continued doubting every believer in Church because of one past hurtful experience from another believer. Soon, the church became a field for the enemy to sow doubt and mistrust.
When I was 14 years old, after a conference, I was told that I would not be able to preach at the next conference as the other seniorpastor was insecure with my preaching. As a teenager, I could not understand why the man that I looked up to then would behave that way. I remember calling my mother and weeping over the phone.
I still remember what my mom said, “Son, go and serve that man of God and pray that God will use him in the next meeting” Well, that was the beginning of burning the bitter roots.
To the Ministers of God
If you are a minister and have been hurt, do not go on through life perceiving everyone to be as Judas who may betray you in the future. Not only will you hurt the sheep that you have been called to lead but you will grow deeper into your insecurities, destroying the future of the call of God on your life. Let us allow Christ to live His life through us.
Truth is, my friend, that as long as you are on this planet, there is going to be that someone who may hurt you, intentionally or unintentionally. A special problem with bitterness is that it causes more trouble than it began with and defiles relationship. Those with this spirit will be seen frequently grumbling or complaining over seemingly small matters because of this spirit’s foothold that has not been dealt with.
Here’s what the Bible says
Ephesians 4:31 “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.”
Matthew 6:14, 15 “For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
Symptoms of Bitterness
Some of the symptoms of bitterness are, resentment (continuous hard feelings against someone.), racism, intense hatred, revengeful,continual grumbling, presumptuousness (over-assumption, doubting, taking everything in a negative manner leading to slander or even character assaulting).
Dealing with Bitterness
Hebrews 12: 15, says, “See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.” As long as we are tied down to bitterness in our hearts, we will not be able to move in the true calling that God has for us.
As you read this, I encourage you to try and find out the areas that have caused you to become bitter and pursue those areas with the love of Christ. Romans 5: 5 says, “And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” Ask the Holy Spirit to pour out His love into those areas that you are struggling because He desires to see you grow into Christ who is our head.
Let’s deal with bitterness with a forgiving heart of Jesus that destroyed the foundations of hell and opened the heavens!
Have you had any similar experiences? Do let us know on how God set you free, by leaving a message below.
