Read Colossians 3:8-15

“DON’T BE BITTER, BE BETTER” is the title of a sermon I heard once. It was a timely message that I have not forgotten. The message was simple: I can choose to be bitter about something or I can choose to try to be personally better about it. It is my choice! It is a way to honor God. The message of the sermon was that we can control our attitude, even if it’s ALL we can control.

Bitterness gets worse according to Hebrews 12:14-15:

“The soil of bitterness is a heart that harbors hostility and does not deal with hurt by the grace of God. When someone becomes bitter, the bitterness takes root in the heart and grows deeper.”

“Bitterness

is a poison

that cannot be

contained

It spills forth

from the lips of men

onto beer-soaked napkins

and the ears of anyone

they have yet to chase away.”

Anonymous

Bitterness is not something God wants to see in you. It is not God-honoring. Chronically bitter people may give you a hard time and that may be especially true if they are your loved one. How do you honor God in that situation? You can try to avoid bitterness yourself:

“Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.” – Hebrews 12:14-15

To be bitter is a common reaction to some of life’s circumstances. It is often because of heartbreak or hard times. We all experience bitterness at times. Job was bitter at one time:

“My soul is tired of life; I will let my sad thoughts go free in words; my soul will make a bitter outcry.” – Job 10:1

Bitterness is resentment that can lead to hostility toward others. The Bible says to avoid backbiting and profane talk. It takes prayer, work and planning to be kind and honor God in everything you do.

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.” – Ephesians 4:31

Strive to be gentle with others.

Can you do it?

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

“The circumstances

of their wretched despair…

may not be

entirely

of their own doing.

And they may,

as they often are,

be quite capable

of loving

and

expressing love

but an ounce of love

in a pint of poison

is still

poison.”

Anonymous

If you are in a season of bitterness in your life, be sure to confide in people that you trust and continue to pray to God for guidance. Bitterness is a common reaction in our lives.

Honor God while bitter! Try to be better.

Tom Weckesser