BITTERNESS / RESENTMENT
People become bitter and resentful when:
They let anger and hatred dominate in their lives.
They stop forgiving and demand their own way.
They forget how forgiving God is of their flaws
Bitterness usually starts as a small seed, often from unresolved offenses. The best way to deal with bitterness is to prevent it by forgiving each time an offense comes. But, even if someone has struggled through a lifetime of bitterness, they can be free if they choose to forgive and let God heal their broken heart.
Hebrews 12:14-16“Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking diligently lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled…”
Eph 4:26-27 "Be angry, and do not sin": do not let the sun go down on your wrath, 27 nor give place to the devil.
Ephesians 4:31-32“Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.”
Colossians 3:12-14“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.”
Romans 12:14-15“Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.”
The individual can be freed from bitterness, but they must:
Be willing to repent for their attitudes and actions
Be willing to forgive the ones who have offended them
Exercise “preventative maintenance” by praying for the ones they’ve forgiven
Lead the individual in prayer to release any unforgiveness they hold in their heart – be specific. Bind unforgiveness and bitterness, and loose forgiveness and love. Encourage them to pray daily for the ones they have forgiven.