What Is Bitterness?
and
How to Get Rid of It!

Bitterness

Is a negative state of a persons mind and emotions following any unwanted severe life event that embraces...

• humiliation
  
• loss
  
• and the perception of unfairness.
  

There is often a desperate struggle to overcome...

• suicidal thoughts
  
• low self-esteem
  
• depression
• and can severely affect other bodily systems, including the immune system, increasing vulnerability of a person to developing a number of diseases -

 University of Rochester doctors identifies that my cancer was caused by holding a 12 year long grudge...

• Those who blame others for "throwing cold water on their happiness" and not allowing them to reach their potential, may have problems overcoming such a negative experience, especially if it involves a career or the overturning or underlying destruction of a marriage relationship.

Bitterness

• Wrings every ounce of joy and peace out of life
• It paralyzes any individual from "letting go" an offense and being able to move on
• It is not caused by the person who offended us - but by our own incorrect and self-destructive reaction to hurt and anger.
  

The only successful antidote to this mental disease is "releasing forgiveness" - nothing less works! 

"Releasing forgiveness" is the miracle cure - designed by GOD to break the power of inner poison that would destroy us, a force that threatens every one of us...

It becomes the difference between sickness and health, mental bondage or freedom - we choose!

Distress drove me to a suicide attempt...

No-one knows the depth of despair. The unimaginable happened one night when I decided that the world would be better off without me. The pain was unbearable... I decided to sleep with my head in the gas oven. I made a bed with my head inside. The gas was on...I was drifting off - When suddenly, the phone rang! It was very loud. I jumped up - answered the phone to hear a girl crying out loudly, She (Elaina) was sobbing. She said, "I was told by the Lord to call you, that you were in trouble!" Instantly, the power of suicide broke. We wept. Prayed. And I was delivered by a young lady who obeyed the voice of the Holy Spirit of GOD.

Getting rid of bitterness is not easy

Mark 11.25 "But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too."

Ephesians 4.31-32 "Get rid of all

• bitterness,
  
• rage,
  
• anger,
  
• harsh words,
  
• and slander,
  
• as well as all types of evil behavior.
  
• Instead, be kind to each other,
  
• tenderhearted,
  
• forgiving one another,
  
• just as God through Christ has forgiven you."

Note:

This is only accomplished by the Word and the Holy Spirit within, PLUS our willingness to let it happen...

Get rid of this terrible mental disease as soon as possible...which can only be conquered by releasing forgiveness.

What triggers bitterness? Anger.

Anger is a poison that will kill us. When we feel we have been treated unfairly, anger takes root and begins to eat into the fabric of our being, destroying our mind, emotions, and eventually can jeopardize our soul.

What sets us off?

Genesis 27.41

Esau had an incredible anger and hatred for Jacob, and finally murdered him because he blamed Jacob for stealing his birthright. Did Jacob steal it? No. Esau sold his birthright willingly for a bowl of lentil soup 

Haman went nuts on Mordecai as he was leaving his banquet, when Mordecai refused to bow before him. Esther 5.9 It set Haman off into a rage.

Why must we "release forgiveness?"

Because unforgiveness cannot wait until the offender comes to you!

• unforgiveness destroys us, not the offender
• we are not allowed to exercise revenge. That is GOD's job - not ours.

Hebrews 12.15 "Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many."

Jesus "released forgiveness" on the Cross - He said, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." That act released forgiveness, so that you and I can access forgiveness. It also frees the offended. They are no longer controlled by the actions, words, and deeds committed against them..

Stephen also "released forgiveness" when Saul was watching him being stoned..

Amos 5.7 "You twist justice, making it a bitter pill for the oppressed. You treat the righteous like dirt.

10 How you hate honest judges! How you despise people who tell the truth!
11 You trample the poor, stealing their grain through taxes and unfair rent.
Therefore, though you build beautiful stone houses, you will never live in them.
Though you plant lush vineyards, you will never drink wine from them.
12 For I know the vast number of your sins and the depth of your rebellions.
You oppress good people by taking bribes and deprive the poor of justice in the courts."

GOD will judge us for our being unjust and unfair in our dealings with others, especially the poor who cannot defend themselves...

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