"And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us . . ."
Ephesians 5:2
A bitter person came to his pastor to talk. He said, "There is a man in our church who lied to me and cheated me out of a lot of money. Every time I see him at church, I get so angry that I can't think of anything else." The pastor said, "Don't let him stand between God and you. God wants you to forgive him. Don't let that man rob you of love, joy, and peace."
Sad to say, the man refused the pastor's advice and continued down the road of bitterness, robbed of love, joy, and peace. The power of God's love can enable us to overcome every bitter circumstance in life. To hold on to bitterness is to miss God's best, walking in His love.
It's not easy to forgive those who have wronged us. It is extremely difficult to love them. However, there is a way out. Let us admit our bitterness, choose to forgive anyone who has wronged us, and ask God to fill us with the love of Christ for those who have offended us. As we commit ourselves to walk in love, we have help from God to love everyone. To walk in love is to walk with God.
Walking through life with bitterness is to carry a heavy weight with us everywhere we go. The load never gets lighter. The person who wronged us continues to control us. Our thoughts stay focused upon that person. Bitterness will eventually consume us. It will affect our decisions and all of our relationships. It will become the task-master controlling our motives. Love lifts the heavy load and sets us free to walk with God.
Father, deliver us from bitterness through Your love.
