Overcoming Bitterness and Resentment

Overcoming Bitterness and Resentment

"Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many" (Hebrews 12:14,15).

When we are offended or disappointed by others, we have to deal with it quickly, or we can get hurt by it, then if that hurt isn't dealt with properly bitterness and resentment begin to germinate and take root in our hearts. When this happens, we then will start to develop an unforgiving attitude, become negative, or start becoming critical of that person or persons.

Bitterness and resentment are sinful and self-defeating. They will color your conscious, unconscious thoughts, and actions. By allowing them to fester, they will begin to lead us down a path of destruction for ourselves and others.

However, we can dispelled these things with love. Not with our own limited love, but with God's love that will not fail. God's love is bitterness and resentments worst enemy. The Love of God is shed abroad, or as it says in the Greek, the love of God gushes forth out of out hearts.

I remember once I had a drain clog up and when the clog was removed the pressure had build up so much in back of the clog that when it released it sounded like a gun shot. Bitterness and resentment are like a clog in our life. I keeps the fresh flow of God's love from coming out of our lives. So what ends up coming out of us is the things of flesh.

What Scripture Says

"Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you"
(Ephesians 4:31, 32).

"When they hurled their insults at him( Jesus ), he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly"
(I Peter 2:23).

"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"
(Matthew 6:14, 15).

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good"
(Romans 12:21).

Prayer;
Father, I acknowledge that I've held resentment and bitterness against....
I confess this as sin and ask you to forgive me.
Lord help me to not hold any more resentment to anyone,
but rather to love them with your love that you have placed in my heart and life.
Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. In Jesus' name, Amen

If you haven't seen the movie Antwone Fisher, please do. Millions of people suffer from anger and bitterness. It affects all of us. Even if you don't suffer, someone close to you likely does. This movie could change your life.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_mauf6r1Ww