Bitterness is anger that has lodged somewhere inside and eats away at your joy of living.
If you are not careful, pain can make you bitter.
See, when you are hurting, you want someone to take the pain away. There’s only one who can take it away: God. But you have to trust Him even when it hurts. The way you do that is you recognize that He made the world and He made you.
There are many things we don’t understand and we often ask – why? You may not get an answer and so you have to do something with the “why”. If you’re intent on pursuing your question, it can be never ending; even tormenting, and leading to anger. But if you settle it in your heart that not all “whys” can be answered, and trust God knows, you won’t get bitter.
Bitterness eats away at you and can affect your health. When we let go of bitterness, Mayo Clinic reports the benefits:
- Healthier relationships
- Greater spiritual and psychological well-being
- Less anxiety, stress and hostility
- Lower blood pressure
- Fewer symptoms of depression
- Lower risk of alcohol and substance abuse
Whatever it is, let it go so you can be free.
when it hurts 
By nature I am a positive person and don’t get bitter, but I think hurt and bitterness are different, my eldest son last year decided for reasons I don’t know has decided he don’t want me as his mother and after a rather nasty text message I am hurt. I can’t be bitter but boy I hurt.
I thought your write was excellent.
Yvonne.
Yvonne, hurt and bitterness are different for sure.
I hope it works out with your son. Don’t give up.
Kathy
I think unforgiveness is a top reason people end up with bitterness in their hearts. Good Post.
Yes, I agree. Unforgiveness is actually the source. I wanted to give it a slightly different angle for people who claim they have forgiven. If the can identify with the description I gave, it may help admit to unforgiveness.
Thanks for your comment!
Kathy