Bitterness

[Purple]

This is what my experience has been like concerning bitterness. It may not be the same way that you see it. If you've lived with this or still do live with this, perhaps you may agree with some of the following.

Bitterness:
- is an infection in a poorly attended emotional wound. Without proper care, it adds more pain to the unhealed wound and becomes more difficult to treat.
- is a cancer. It's density plagues the spirit. It is a disease.
- is a parasite. It saps strength and compassion from the heart. It feeds on selfishness and grows with each negative thought.
- is wrong. It is counter-productive toward God's will.
- destroys unity. It banishes you to isolation. It kills happiness.
- can age you. A youthful spirit is soon crushed by bitter thoughts.
- cannot help you or protect you. It pushes away your friends, and it changes you attitude for the worse.

-Do not make bitterness your god. Do not turn to it for advice on how to deal with your problems.
-Entertain bitterness long enough, and you may grow to like it.
-Follow bitterness, and soon enough, you'll find yourself alone.

I believe that many people in the church are suffering needlessly from bouts of bitterness. It's tearing them apart and it goes unnoticed by most because it's symptoms are not physical.
That person you know that always seems to be in a bad mood is probably dealing with bitterness. The longer they brew, the further they sink into spiritual debilitation.
I also believe that bitterness can be a precursor to depression, as disease can be to death. The question is: how long will it be allowed to continue among us?

May Jesus lead His people to spiritual and emotional healing in Jesus' name!

[ILG]

Originally Posted by Purple

Bitterness:
- is an infection in a poorly attended emotional wound. Without proper care, it adds more pain to the unhealed wound and becomes more difficult to treat.

I agree with this more than anything else you wrote in your post. Bitterness is indeed a poorly attended emotional wound. Sometimes, no matter how hard the person tries to treat this emotional wound, some church member comes along and rips off the bandages proclaiming how you should not be bitter nor wearing bitterness bandages. Too often, the church doesn't want to see any bandages and denies the wound altogether so no proper treatment can take place. Sometimes, the only thing to do is to remove yourself from all people who deny wounds and rip off bandages.

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by ILG

I agree with this more than anything else you wrote in your post. Bitterness is indeed a poorly attended emotional wound. Sometimes, no matter how hard the person tries to treat this emotional wound, some church member comes along and rips off the bandages proclaiming how you should not be bitter nor wearing bitterness bandages. Too often, the church doesn't want to see any bandages and denies the wound altogether so no proper treatment can take place. Sometimes, the only thing to do is to remove yourself from all people who deny wounds and rip off bandages.

Agreed.

And even at that... there is often a misdiagnosis of bitterness.

Something as simple and non malignant as "Been there, done that & learned my lesson" can often be diagnosed as bitterness.

[ILG]

Originally Posted by Digging4Truth

Agreed.

And even at that... there is often a misdiagnosis of bitterness.

Something as simple and non malignant as "Been there, done that & learned my lesson" can often be diagnosed as bitterness.

I'm not sure what you mean by your last statement. Can you clarify?

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by ILG

I'm not sure what you mean by your last statement. Can you clarify?

I've seen people accused of being bitter when they simply had been through enough from a person or group of people who had consistently demonstrated that this is what it will always be like in their presence.

They aren't bitter. They just know that what you get when you hang with certain people just isn't worth the effort.

It isn't bitterness. It's called moving on.

[ILG]

Originally Posted by Digging4Truth

I've seen people accused of being bitter when they simply had been through enough from a person or group of people who had consistently demonstrated that this is what it will always be like in their presence.

They aren't bitter. They just know that what you get when you hang with certain people just isn't worth the effort.

It isn't bitterness. It's called moving on.

Yes. Very good! And I think sometimes people can be a little bitter, but it's from that unhealed emotional wound someone else did to them and not necessarily anything that was their own fault.

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by ILG

Yes. Very good! And I think sometimes people can be a little bitter, but it's from that unhealed emotional wound someone else did to them and not necessarily anything that was their own fault.

The best thing to prevent sunburn is to not get too much sun.

People often stay away from some folks as bitterness prevention.

I know people with whom I have a wonderful relationship now that I no longer live near them. I come and visit and have a great time... hugs... I miss you guys... all that. And it is genuine and enjoyable.

But... I know that it wouldn't be like that if we were around each other all the time. Some things are better enjoyed from a distance.

[ILG]

Yes, that is true!

[Paws4It]

If the bitterness is because someone has hurt a person, the best medicine for that is to pray for them, and I KNOW that is not easy, but I also know it works.
Prayer changes attitudes. Prayer changes lives. It is the only answer to bitterness I've found.
Great post, Purple.

[Sister Alvear]

Sister Rita Dawson once preached a message entitled SCARS...it was about bitter people...wish I had a copy it was awesome.