Bitterness

We all experience negative situations that can cause us to become bitter if we don’t find resolution. The longer we let those feelings fester and linger, the worse our feelings of bitterness can become.

The book of Hebrews describes bitterness as the main barrier to our pursuit of peace with all people. We cannot receive God’s perfect peace if we maintain our bitterness towards others.

Hebrews 12:14-15 says, “Pursue peace with all people and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled.” The Bible makes it clear that bitterness can, over time, lead to us being completely overcome by sin.

A major step in overcoming bitterness is asking God to give us the strength to confront the person or situation that is troubling us. If the situation involved a disagreement with another person, Jesus makes it clear how best to resolve it: “If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him” (Luke 17:3).

We can confront those bitter situations in love, and be ready to extend forgiveness to the repentant heart.