- When life doesn't go the way you planned it, do you grow Bitter or Better?
- Are you Bitter or Better as a result of going through that loss?
- Are you Bitter or Better now that she/he left you?
- Are you Bitter or Better as a result of the suffering you have endured?
- Are you Bitter or Better at your father for abandoning you?
- Are you Bitter or Better as a result of what your uncle did to you?
- Are you Bitter or Better as a result of how your mother treated you?
- Are you Bitter or Better as a result of how that pastor treated you?
To be real, I have grown bitter far too many times when life hasn't gone as planned. I have allowed the pain, the hurt, the disappointment to drive a thorn into my flesh more than I care to admit. It's usually very subtle and can be hidden pretty easily, especially if you are good at covering it up.
So, what about you ... have you allowed your heart to become Bitter at times rather than Better?
So....?
I believe the cure starts with being honest with yourself, others and God. Admit, "I'm bitter, help me not to be!"
Then I believe that a change of mind is necessary.
Then ultimately it's DOING what you would do if you weren't Bitter ... whatever that would be in a given situation.
(i.e. You send a letter or make a phone call to the relative that hurt you and say, "I forgive you!" Or if that isn't possible, then just right a letter and drop it in the mailbox addressed to that person with no address on it.)
Make a choice to move on even if you don’t feel like it.
Taking this step isn't saying to that person, "what you did was okay," or "let's be best buddies now," or "everything is fine now." But what it does do is release YOU from the bitterness that is killing you.
Most of the time growing bitter has nothing to do with the other person at all ... it's about you and it is something that you need to deal with.
I encourage you to get BETTER not BITTER when life throws you a curve ball, and life always will.
