Bitterness
--By Keith Bellamy
Bitterness is defined as anger and disappointment at being treated unfairly; resentment.
I have known people who are extremely bitter. Maybe something tragic has affected their lives. Or maybe something has happened that was brought on by that person’s own disobedience.
Such was the case with King Saul. He brought everything that happened to him on himself. When Samuel confronted him about his disobedience Saul didn’t at first think he had done anything wrong.
Many years ago, while in school one of the instructors suggested we look at 1 Samuel 15. When Agag thought things were going to get better, things got worse.
However, the statement in 1 Samuel 15:32 indicates that Agag didn’t have the slightest knowledge of what was going to happen to him. Then Samuel said, “Bring here to me Agag the king of the Amalekites.” And Agag came to him cheerfully. Agag said, “Surely the bitterness of death is past” (1 Sam. 15:32 ESV).
Death is bitter. Especially for unbelievers. If a person doesn’t have the faith they need to endure hard times death is bitter.
But what about one who has strong faith?
Bill Gaither’s song, “Because He Lives”, speaks to the hope to face tomorrow. And it is all about Jesus Christ defeating death, so you and I can defeat death.
However, if I refuse to forgive…if I continue to harbor bitterness in my heart, death may indeed be bitter.
Would you really want to face God with a bitter heart?
My prayer is that anyone who may be dealing with bitterness will hand it over to God.
Think about what Paul said. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you (Ephesians 4:31, 32 ESV).
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