Bitterness is one of the most destructive forces we can ever hold in our hearts. It eats away at our very core, stealing our joy. Bitterness can actually bring about physical illness. It causes division, ends relationships, and is just plain miserable. It doesn’t make any sense to hang on to it, yet so many people do. How do we begin to let go of bitterness?
At the very root of bitterness is unforgiveness. We’ve all experienced hurt at one time or another. Some wounds are small and shallow. Some wounds are big and deep. If we are quick to attend to the wound, then healing can begin. Forgiveness promotes healing. But, if we hang on to the hurt or offense, then the wound won’t heal. Unforgiveness keeps us from healing. Perhaps you’ve heard the saying “Unforgiveness is like eating rat poison and then waiting for the rat to die.” It only hurts us. It doesn’t change the situation or the one who caused the pain. If we want to let go of bitterness, then we need to forgive.
Forgiveness does not relieve the other person of responsibility or justify the situation. Choosing to forgive means that you will no longer live as a victim. You will no longer allow that pain and hurt to control your life. Yes, it is challenging. Life is full of injustices. However, we punish ourselves when we refuse to forgive. Thankfully we don’t have to rely on our own power. God’s grace is more than enough to help us through these situations. We can turn to Him in our time of need.
Are you harboring areas of unforgiveness in your heart? Do you have some roots of bitterness that need to be removed? Choose forgiveness and start letting go of bitterness today!
“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” ~Ephesians 4:32