Bitterness

Posted on July 13, 2020 by Catey Stover in Freedom Fighters

Good morning and welcome to this new week of Freedom Fighters. Our gifted writing team members are very grateful that you spend time with us each day, and thank you for your comments. That encouragement is very much appreciated.

Today’s topic came from one of my devotional readings, as well as some real-life situations that I have experienced in recent days.

Yes, even Christians do battle with bitterness. Christian leaders do battle bitterness also.

Why is their church growing, and mine isn’t?

Why is it that that person always seems to get recognized and I never do?

Look at them – new car, new house, even a boat. That’s just not fair.

He gets asked to speak, but they never ask me to speak.

I got passed over for that job position again. Screw them. I hope they screw up. That will serve them right.

I have seen bitterness eat people alive. I have observed Christians who are well-grounded in the Word become miserable and bitter because of something that someone has done. Often the offense was so minor that the person who committed the offense doesn’t even know that they did something offensive.

I knew two women, both who taught the Word for decades be eaten alive by bitters. Yes, they could handle the Word, but there was no joy in their lives, and they both died miserable people.

Bitterness left unchecked and dealt with turns to a hardened heart. Think about someone you know that is bitter, and this principle proves to be true.

Richard Blackaby in his devotional, Experiencing God – The Devotional says:

Bitterness is easy to justify. You can get so used to a bitter heart that you are even comfortable with it, but it will destroy you. Only God is fully aware of its destructive potential. There is nothing so deeply embedded in your heart that God’s grace cannot reach down and remove it. No area in your life is so painful that God’s grace cannot bring total healing. No offense committed against you is so heinous that God’s love cannot enable you to forgive.

When you allow bitterness to grow in your life, you reject the grace of God that can free you. If you are honest before God, you will admit bitterness and allow God to forgive you. Bitterness enslaves you, but God is prepared to remove your bitterness and replace it with His peace and joy.

The writer of Hebrews says: Looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble. – Hebrews 12:15

Is there bitterness in your life? Go to God and confess it! Go to the person who you are bitter against. It could be so freeing for you to deal with it and get it out in the open and see fellowship restored. Don’t allow bitterness to rob you of joy. Don’t allow bitterness to turn your heart hard. Be free! Choose to live in freedom today.

In His grip,

Bill Welte, President/CEO
America’s Keswick
bwelte@americaskeswick.org

 

Written by Bill Welte, President/CEO of America’s Keswick: Bill has been married to his childhood sweetheart for 40+ years and has four married kids and 11 amazing grandkids. He loves music and is an avid reader.

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Think About This: “Holding a grudge doesn’t make you strong; it makes you bitter. Forgiving doesn’t make you weak; it sets you free.” – Dave Willis

The Daily Bible Reading: Isaiah 17-21 | You can download our 2020 Daily Bible Reading Plan by clicking here. 

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: I, therefore, the prisoner ^[a]of the Lord, ^[b]beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, ² with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, ³ endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. – Ephesians 4:1-3

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the doctrinal and theological views held by America’s Keswick.