Help for Bitterness?

Today I posted the very first message to the Peacemaker Ministries “Women” Message Board. (This is a new feature of the Peacemaker Ministries website — thanks to cutie bear webmaster & hubby extraordinaire Fred!)

I thought you might also enjoy reading it (plus I’d love your counsel too of course!) … so here it is …

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Help for Bitterness?

Today I was somberly reflecting on the lives of two women I love dearly. Both have been hurt terribly in their lives — and although I do not presume to know their hearts, it seems that based on their words and actions, they both demonstrate lasting bitterness.

(For example, they are quick to retell offenses from years–even decades–ago, all with explicit detail and raw emotion. Rather than demonstrating gratitude for their many blessings in life, they tend to fixate on the painful, humiliating, and hurtful memories. Instead of looking for that which is, “lovely and noble,” in the people who have hurt them, they often “demonize” them and look at them as one-dimensional “bad” people.)

So why do I write this post and ask for help for bitterness? It’s not for them. It’s for me.

You see — as my heart has been burdened for these wonderful, broken, women — I have also been sorely convicted that I am much more like them than unlike them …

– Prone to ingratitude
 – Quick to judge and condemn
– Too often burdened by crushing sorrow and poisoned by sinful bitterness

Do you have any counsel for me? (And for these two lovely ladies too.)

What Scriptures do you turn to when you are tempted to sin like this? How does the gospel of grace comfort you, turn you to Jesus and away from yourself, and remind you of your True Home in eternity to come?

Thanks in advance for your wisdom and counsel!

Falling apart at the seams but resting in God’s grace —

Your sister in Christ,
Tara Barthel