The Poison of Bitterness
When life doesn’t unfold as we expect, it’s easy to let bitterness take hold. We see others receiving recognition we feel is rightfully ours, God seems distant in our time of need, friends disappoint us, and evil people appear to prosper while the faithful suffer. I’ve struggled with bitterness myself, and I recall one particularly difficult experience.
A Toxic Friendship
I had a friendship that was never easy. My friend always seemed to hold back, and our relationship was marked by sudden, unexplained walls that left me feeling disheartened and questioning our connection. Despite my efforts, we eventually drifted apart. Years later, God brought us back together, and for a while, things seemed different. My friend was open about her struggles, and I prayed and fasted for her regularly. But eventually, our relationship began to erode again, and we went our separate ways.
The Tables Turn
A few years later, I found myself facing a series of difficult situations, but my friend was nowhere to be found. I felt hurt and abandoned, wondering why she wasn’t there for me when I had been there for her. To make matters worse, I saw God blessing her life abundantly, and the hurt burrowed deep into my heart. I let bitterness consume me, affecting every aspect of my life, including my relationships with God, my family, and friends.
A Turning Point
But God never gave up on me, even when I was at my most bitter. He guided me through His counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. As the Psalmist writes, “I was so foolish and ignorant… Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand” (Psalm 73:22-23, NLT). In my darkness, God remained the strength of my heart, mine forever.
Freedom from Bitterness
That difficult time taught me to see God in a new light and to recognize how easily I can lose my way. Although the friendship was never restored, God showed me how to pray for my friend’s blessing, and through that, He set me free from the bitterness that had held me back for so long. I echo the Psalmist’s words: “Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth! My spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; He is mine forever!” (Psalm 73:25-26, NLT). Thank you, Lord, for never letting go and never giving up on me!
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