"Beyond Bitterness"

DAY  #27 - 'A Woman of Faith' Devotional
Verse: "All bitterness, anger and wrath, insult and slander must be removed from you, along with all wickedness. And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ." Ephesians 4:31-32 HCSB

We waste our own time, if we fill it with bitterness, anger or regret. God has such big plans for us and our lives, that He is not able to use us fully, if we don't submit to him every part of us. FORGIVENESS is actually a much better choice than BITTERNESS.

Let's look at forgive vs. bitter; (as forgiveness is the act of forgiving, and bitterness is the act of being bitter)
Forgive:
–verb (used with object)

1. to grant pardon for or remission of (an offense, debt, etc.); absolve.
2. to give up all claim on account of; remit (a debt, obligation, etc.).
3. to grant pardon to (a person).
4. to cease to feel resentment against: to forgive one's enemies.
5. to cancel an indebtedness or liability of: to forgive the interest owed on a loan.
–verb (used without object)
6. to pardon an offense or an offender.

Bitter:
–adjective

1. having a harsh, disagreeably acrid taste, like that of aspirin, quinine, wormwood, or aloes.
2. producing one of the four basic taste sensations; not sour, sweet, or salt.
3. hard to bear; grievous; distressful: a bitter sorrow.
4. causing pain; piercing; stinging: a bitter chill.
5. characterized by intense antagonism or hostility: bitter hatred.
6. hard to admit or accept: a bitter lesson.
7. resentful or cynical: bitter words.

Forgiveness causes healing, there is no longer resentment or anger. Forgiveness is like honey to the soul, wheras bitter is a harsh, acrid taste. Bitterness causes pain, sorrow and resentment. We are commanded to forgive others as Christ forgives us. Sit back and think of your thoughts, words & deeds... maybe just even in this past week... isn't it great to know that God forgives and forgets. We all make mistakes, we all have 'bad days', we all sin. We cannot judge, look down upon or have bitter feelings against someone. Look at those words defining bitterness...
*harsh, disagreeable acrid taste
*grievous, distressful, sorrow
*pain, piercing, stinging
*antagonism or hostility
*resentful or cynical

Who really wants to live a life of that? But we all do it at some point, if we do not walk in love and forgiveness. God wants us to be free, and live a life of love. There's a verse in the Word, "My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires." (James 1:19-20) But... "Being frail, fallible, imperfect human beings, most of us are quick to anger, quick to blame, slow to forgive, and even slower to forget." (cite source after)

We need to forgive one another, just as God forgave us in Christ... most importantly we also need to forgive ourselves as well.

...to be continued!

BE BLESSED & BE A BLESSING!