4 Steps to Overcome Bitterness
Most of our bitterness and anger towards others is rooted in our inability to be unconditionally amazed at Christ's love for us in our sin. You may say "Oh my bitterness is because of this person or this thing or this situation," but the solution is not to fix the other thing. The solution is to fix yourself-- to gain a heart that is overflowingly thankful for grace from Christ and that spills over with grace towards others. Here are 4 steps to overcome the bitterness of life and replace it with joy and contentment:
1. Focus on the good in your life
In my last post "Focus on the Good", I wrote about how we are sometimes surrounded by the darkness of sin, in this case bitterness. When we take our eyes off the bitterness, we are able to see God's goodness and love all around us. Instead of being bound by bitterness, run to God's truth. Replace the bitterness with contentment in every situation.
In my last post "Focus on the Good", I wrote about how we are sometimes surrounded by the darkness of sin, in this case bitterness. When we take our eyes off the bitterness, we are able to see God's goodness and love all around us. Instead of being bound by bitterness, run to God's truth. Replace the bitterness with contentment in every situation.
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
Philippians 4:8
2. Keep trusting God to work it out
When tough situations come around, it is often extremely hard to believe that the struggle is part of God's flawless plan for our lives. More often than not, the hard times seem like no good could ever come out of it. However, there are multiple situations in the Bible where God created miracles in hopeless situations. No matter what the situation is, remember that it is all part of God's divine plan and it had to happen. Don't dread a situation that you can't control, change your attitude instead.
When tough situations come around, it is often extremely hard to believe that the struggle is part of God's flawless plan for our lives. More often than not, the hard times seem like no good could ever come out of it. However, there are multiple situations in the Bible where God created miracles in hopeless situations. No matter what the situation is, remember that it is all part of God's divine plan and it had to happen. Don't dread a situation that you can't control, change your attitude instead.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8:28
3. Wait for God to restore
Have you ever been in a situation where you had something and you lost it? I know I have. Sometimes losing something feels like it takes part of you away with it. But most times, that thing needed to be taken away so that something better could replace it later. To get to the light, sometimes you have to go through the darkness. No matter how dark it gets, God will always restore the light, sometimes with a light brighter than you could ever ask for.
Have you ever been in a situation where you had something and you lost it? I know I have. Sometimes losing something feels like it takes part of you away with it. But most times, that thing needed to be taken away so that something better could replace it later. To get to the light, sometimes you have to go through the darkness. No matter how dark it gets, God will always restore the light, sometimes with a light brighter than you could ever ask for.
“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”
1 Peter 5:10
4. Know who you are in Christ
Over the past year, I have realized how so very important knowing who you are in Christ is. Knowing that you are loved, worthy, wanted, beautiful, smart, even when you feel like you don't deserve to be called those things, can make all the difference in how you view yourself and how you view others. When you choose to let God's truth reign over your life, nothing that anyone can ever say or do can will affect you.
Over the past year, I have realized how so very important knowing who you are in Christ is. Knowing that you are loved, worthy, wanted, beautiful, smart, even when you feel like you don't deserve to be called those things, can make all the difference in how you view yourself and how you view others. When you choose to let God's truth reign over your life, nothing that anyone can ever say or do can will affect you.
"Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God."
John 1:12
By focusing on the good, trusting God, waiting on His timing and restoration, and knowing who you are in Christ, you can overcome the bitterness that life throws at you and replace it with overflowing joy. Don't let the bitterness take away the goodness that God shows all around us.
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