B is for Bitterness

We all have had experiences in our lives that leave us bitter and resentful.  Even after we feel like we've let go of the hurts and have forgiven and sometimes even forgotten, something brings it back to our minds and we suffer for it all over again.  Anger and discontent can cause so much pain in our own lives and in the lives of our loved ones.

I'm not referring to a bitter taste, obviously, but the kind of grievous sorrow which leads us to feel intense hatred toward a person or circumstance.  Satan uses that bitterness to gain a foothold in our hearts.  If we cannot freely forgive (even when the wrong-doer hasn't properly asked us to forgive), and we hold onto the pain and sorrow a root of bitterness takes hold and grows.  We are commanded to forgive as God forgives us.

Luke 17:3-4 (KJV)
3 Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, 

forgive him.  4 And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day 

turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him. 

Choose to forgive and release your bitterness.  Work through your pain and resolve to forgive every circumstance you can think of.  Give it over to God.  Prayer and His love can be great comforts.  Determine to practice loving others, and not because they "deserve" it.

Ephesians 4:31-32 (KJV)
31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, 

be put away from you, with all malice:  32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, 

forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.