Bitterness is something that most of us have struggled with at some point in our lives. But God does not want us to harbor bitterness.
If you suffer from heart bitterness, here are four ways to eradicate it.
1. Forgiveness
One way to eradicate bitterness in the heart is to forgive. Many people have hurt us in our lives. Unfortunately, holding on to forgiveness does not eradicate bitterness. God wants us to forgive others as He has forgiven us. If you choose to refuse forgiveness, it will only cause more pain. Forgiveness seldom hurts the person to whom it is directed. It only hurts us.
Forgiving someone does not mean being okay with what they did. In many cases, we grow up being taught to say “it’s okay” when someone apologizes to us. Now. This is not to be forgiven. Rather, forgiveness is a decision to surrender the situation to God. You can forgive someone and say it’s not okay. Just because you have forgiven someone doesn’t mean it’s okay or that they forgot what they did.
Forgiveness comes from God. The moment we accepted Him as our Savior and Lord, He forgave all our sins. He no longer carries those sins against us and is choosing not to associate us with those negative things. See the Son, not the evil that is in God has forgiven us of our terrible sins, so we can do our best to forgive others as well. Forgiveness helps remove bitterness from the heart.
2. Prayer
The second way to eradicate suffering from the heart is prayer. Prayer is often overlooked, but He is one of God’s greatest gifts. Through prayer, we are blessed with one-on-one communication with God. This means that we can say anything to God and He hears us. He can help us if we say to Him that He can help us.
You may have bitter feelings in your heart for a variety of reasons. Someone may have broken your heart or someone betrayed you. Your feelings are legitimate and it is understandable that you feel that way. Go to God in prayer and tell Him everything you’re feeling. Talk to him about your hurt, your pain, your heartache. He knows the pain you are going through and wants to help you eradicate your suffering. can.
Prayer helps in all things, so never miss it. You may not hear back from God right away, but He is listening to you. God understands all the pain you have and wants to fill your heart with the peace that only He can provide. Prayer should never be the last resort in trying to eradicate bitterness from the heart.
3. Reflect on God’s Love
A third way to eradicate bitterness from the heart is to remember God’s love. By meditating on God’s love, we can release much of our deep-seated anger. Those who caused your suffering may not know how much pain they caused you, but God knows. Reflect on his love and try to extend that same love to others, to those who have hurt you. They may not deserve your love, but God commands us to love everyone. In this way you are spreading the love of God.
The suffering you are going through now will not last forever unless you allow it. You need to go to God and ask for help in eradicating this suffering. Think about God’s love in your own life and in the Bible. No one expects to feel completely better overnight, but to reflect on God’s love and to eradicate bitterness from the heart. A positive headspace must be maintained.
God’s love is far more important than any love we can experience anywhere else. Our loved ones can hurt us, but God never does. He is with us through pain, tears and heartache. God understands the suffering you are going through, but wants to take it away. He doesn’t want to see you carry the burden of bitterness for the rest of your life. Love, forgiveness and growth should be shown in our lives, not bitterness, hate and unforgiveness.
4. Choose to move on
A fourth way to eradicate bitterness from your heart is to choose to move forward. As someone who has suffered with bitterness in their hearts for years, I wouldn’t recommend it. Choose to move on with your life and don’t let the bitterness linger in your heart. With God’s help eradicate it and move on. Life is too precious and too short to be spent with a bitter heart. Instead, choose to move on and love the life God has given you.
Moving on can be difficult, but very important. Again, that doesn’t mean that what they said or did was okay, but rather, you are making choices in life. Do not allow yourself to fall into a negative spiral of bitterness over the years. Don’t let the memories of the past dictate your future. Give all your pain to God and trust Him. Forgive those who hurt you and make the decision to move on.
By moving on, you are opening up your life to a new set of adventures and opportunities to serve Christ. There is true freedom in forgiveness and moving forward. Choosing to eradicate bitterness in our hearts gives us the opportunity not only to grow in life, but to grow in our walk with Christ.
Choose to take that first step today and remove all suffering from your heart. With God’s help, try to eradicate it and never again plant bitterness deep within your heart. It is up to you to decide whether or not to block your steps or use them as opportunities to grow in Christ. I’m here. We cannot grow in Him if we continue to let bitterness take root in our hearts.
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Vivian Bricker Help those who love Jesus, learn the Word of God, and walk with Christ. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the Ministry of Christianity with an emphasis on theology. Her favorite things to do are spending time with her family and friends, reading, and spending time outside. When she’s not writing, she’s embarking on other adventures.
