God’s Solutions for Today’s Problems #31
Our passage from the Word of God today is Proverbs 15:1. It reads, “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.”
Our quote for today is from Evette Dionne. She said, “Bitterness is a ravaging disease. It impacts our ability to thrive in a world where most don’t care to acknowledge how we feel. Bitterness can be compared to a virus, entering our bodies and feeding off of all that is positive in our lives; where there existed happiness and contentment, bitterness leaves anger, sadness, and emotional scarring.”
Our problem today is “The Problem of Bitterness in Your Life” (part 3) from the book, “The Guide to Biblical Counseling” by Dr. Tim Clinton and Dr. Ron Hawkins.
Today, we will offer some Biblical Insights regarding dealing with Bitterness…
1 Samuel 18:8-9 says, “And Saul was very wroth, and the saying displeased him; and he said, They have ascribed unto David ten thousands, and to me they have ascribed but thousands: and what can he have more but the kingdom? And Saul eyed David from that day and forward.”
King Saul wasted his last years in hatred and anger. Fears, jealousies, murderous thoughts, and violent rage consumed him without relief. His soul was hardened and unresponsive to any message from God. He collected a legacy of evil and bitterness that finally turned into self-destruction.
People who are bitter, angry, divisive, and dark in thought and deed need to be treated with mercy and respect, but they also must be lovingly called to repentance. The church can speak truth to them while taking care not to join them on their bitter journey.
Job 21:22-25 says, “Shall any teach God knowledge? seeing he judgeth those that are high. One dieth in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet. His breasts are full of milk, and his bones are moistened with marrow. And another dieth in the bitterness of his soul, and never eateth with pleasure.”
Job did not understand why he was suffering so terribly. His words here reveal the depth of his pain and the bitterness rising in his heart, but Job maintained his trust in God.
How we respond to struggles defines our attitude toward God. We can become bitter or we can press on in faith. God is faithful and will see us through any crisis.
Luke 6:27-28 says, “But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.”
Loving one’s enemies does not mean having affectionate feelings for them. Instead, it requires a decision to act in love toward them no matter how we feel. We need to pray and ask Christ to take our hurt and bitterness and replace those feelings with His love.
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