29- Biblical Anger Management- Contributing Factors- 16- Bitterness and Resentments

 

                                     16 – BITTERNESS AND RESENTMENTS

       

        These eat away like a cancer and defile everything they contact.   “…lest and root of bitterness

       springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.” Hebrews 12:15

 

         Being forced, or feeling forced into unwanted situations, bearing injustices or assumed injustices

       can end in bitterness and resentments. Disagreements and unaccepted or rejected values also will breed

       hostility and even hate. This is common in political arenas. “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a                     desire fulfilled is a tree of life.” Proverbs 13:12

         INJUSTICES ARE SOMETIMES UNAVOIDABLE, But how we deal with them by faith in Jesus 

         will determine the impact on us and especially our behavior.    

         "For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For                 what glory is it if, you are buffeted for your faults, you shall take it patiently? But if, when you do well,              and suffer for it you take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were you called:                  because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us and example, that you should follow His steps; Who, did not         sin, neither was guile (deceit) found in His mouth. Who, when He was reviled, reviled not again, when He            suffered, He threatened not, but committed Himself to Him Who judges righteously." 1 Peter 2:19-23

        Dear friends, if God has called us to walk this way, He has also given us the ability. It is only found in              Jesus, though.

             Action Step   1- STOP AND CONSIDER! Examine your behavior and actions and the reasons.

                                    2– Repent before God of any un-Christ-like behavior and attitudes!

                                    3 – Examine what the Bible has to say about your situation and views and

                                          and embrace its instructions.

   4– Forgive from the heart those who offended you and do not believe the

         worst about them. Cancel all debts. Matthew 6:12,15

                                    5 – Accept and Embrace God’s will for your life in this situation, in this you

              will find His peace. John 14:27, 16:33, 1Peter 4:1

PLEASE NOTE! Not all situations you are in or were in are GOD'S will. You may not

be able to change them, nor should you embrace them. We do need His grace, however 

to overcome them. Forgiveness and humility are imperative when applicable.

                                    6-  Receive your need healing from the Lord-Bitterness will go with the pain.

                                          But resolve it in your heart, regardless, to maintain the forgiveness in Jesus!

                              7-Ceasse/Stop/Repent of any evil surmising about anyone!!! This not only

                                  violates the behavior expected from us in Scripture, but also feeds our

                                  bitter and resentful thoughts and feelings. Furthermore you are thereby

                                  giving place to the devil who loves to please those views,

                                  perspectives and attitudes.

       As our Prime Example of suffering injustice we have the Lord Jesus Christ. Another example we can

     identify with may be Joseph for an example of someone who has suffered betrayal, abuse, being taken

     advantage of, falsely accused, abandonment, misunderstood, forsaken,…, but he maintained an excellent

     spirit and attitude amidst and in spite of all the long years of adversity. God was his Help, Healer,             Deliver, Refuge and Vindicator. He can be yours too!

 

  The Scriptures also teach us that when we are out of order it will show in our attitude and consequently our behavior. Galatians 5:19-20, “Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? Let him show out  of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descends not from above, but is earthly, sensual and devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and with hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them who make peace.” James 3:13-18.

 

 Pride may also be behind some bitterness and resentments when things do not go our way, or the way we believe they should. It is covered up by reasoning, fault finding, accusations, even using the Bible, but if the fruit of our attitude and behavior does not reflect the fruit of the Holy Spirit unto the nature of our Lord Jesus Christ, we are at fault somewhere and perhaps some hidden addenda or pride is the driving force of our perception. May the Lord be gracious and enable us to see from His perspective.

 

If this be the case and we are repentant, we can easily say; “The will of the Lord be done.”

“I can do all things through Christ, which strengthens me.”  “Not my will, but Your will be done.” And you will be able to cancel all debt from the heart.

 

In the instances of real injustices, we need not only forgive with all our heart, but also ask the Lord for a healing and His grace for strength to endure, obey, and love unconditionally. We embrace the cross and the grace of Christ, and follow Him… to Heaven!

 

     “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, and them who are the

     called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28