BITTERNESS

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger. Be kind and compassionate just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Ephesians 4:31,32

Bitterness, says medical doctor S.I. McMillan, is a killer. It is not the object of the emotion that gets the brunt of the damage rather it is the person whose heart is bitter.

Revenge does not eliminate the hurt, but forgiveness does. Yet, forgiveness never comes easy. Take for instance, the friend who wrote, “You said that forgiveness is treating the person as if something had not happened. How about this? My son was brutally killed in a dorm. I easily forgave the boy who did it – he was not responsible, but the officials who were supervising the home were negligent. I can’t drop it as though it had not happened.”

Here was a situation where those who were responsible allowed alcohol to be consumed in a home for troubled young men – the resulting alteraction cost the life of a resident.

How do we learn forgiveness? Jesus gave us a model when He prayed for His executioners on the Cross, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”

Here are guidelines which will help eliminate bitterness and help you learn to forgive.

1.To forgive is to follow the example of our Lord, who forgave even His executioners.

2.Forgiveness is a necessity in the light of God’s forgiveness.

3.Forgiveness is a matter of the will first, then the emotions.

4.God helps you learn to forgive if you seek His help.

The two most difficult words to utter in any language are the humble words, “Forgive me, I am sorry.” Forgiveness is an alternative to the devastation of bitterness. It is the only real solution.”

God Bless YOU..

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