Bitterness. Have you been there? Things don’t go your way, happen the way you think they should. The world comes crashing down around the perfect world you were walking in. Someone or someones let you down. What is the result? Bitterness!

Bitterness left untreated results in hate, gossip, and separation — from both God and fellow man — trouble causing defilement, lack of grace toward others, wickedness, bondage of iniquity, faithlessness, unforgiveness, anger.

Well, the Word of God says, “See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled;“
Hebrews 12:15 NASB

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
Ephesians 4:31‭-‬32 NASB

Bitterness has no place in our lives especially since it is rooted in distrust and selfishness.

It is like saying, “I don’t trust God because of what is happening”. We are blinded by selfishness because it isn’t going the way we think it should.

Lo, for my own welfare I had great bitterness;
Isaiah 38:17‭a

For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bondage of iniquity.”
Acts 8:23

How do I escape this gall of bitterness that has me and escape the bondage of sin?

Be in the Word:

For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12 NASB

THEN:

You have no part or portion in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. Therefore REPENT of this wickedness of yours, and pray the Lord that, if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you.
Acts 8:21‭-‬23 NASB

And God will redeem.

It is You who has kept my soul from the pit of nothingness, For You have cast all my sins behind Your back.
Isaiah 38:17b

Being bitter is not trusting in the holy God of the universe. He is in full control so we do not need to be bitter.

For:

This is the day which the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalms 118:24 NASB

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
Romans 8:28 NASB

Take it from someone who has spent over a year in bondage to bitterness. It is debilitating. It is pride. I can still thank God because He taught me, humbled me, made me more dependent on Him and made me realize I can’t walk this walk alone. I am so thankful for sisters in Christ who stood by me through it all. I am not completely through it but I am more aware of the warning signs that leads me to prayer and submission and the realization that God is in control and I can fully trust Him.

To God be the glory!!! 🙌

Continually Seeking Him,

Sharon