OVERCOMING BITTERNESS AND ANGER!

BE DILIGENT!

January 19, 2022

DEALING WITH ANXIETY

January 21, 2022

20th JANUARY 2022

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and slander be put away from you, along with all malice – Ephesians 4:31

Bitterness is synonymous with resentment and envy. The story of Cain and Abel tells it all. Cain became consumed by bitterness for his brother and killed him out of hatred.

This classic story warns us of the sinful essence of bitterness and to conversely have humility while in despair.

The chief reason we could be bitter is uncontrolled anger when we can’t get what we want; Uncontrolled anger turns into bitterness. Bitterness is a sin and can also cause severe damage to the body, e,g, the liver. For instance, constant bitterness can make a person ill, and holding on to bitterness can affect metabolism, immune response or organ failure.

Two signs that you could be bitter are strong negative emotional reactions to things they say or do around you and complaining about virtually everything. Also, to know if someone around you is bitter, watch out for the following signs:

·   They hold a grudge like their life depends on it.

·   They complain often.

·   They are not grateful for the good in their life.

·   They want only bad things for those who hurt them.

·   They are jealous of others.

·   They can’t share in someone else’s joy.

Forgiveness cures bitterness. Forgiveness enables you to let go of grievances, grudges, rancour, and resentment. Purge out bitterness by doing these:

1. Find out what gets you annoyed,

2. Stop envy and jealousy.

3. Be contented and stop complaining.

4. Be grateful for the little you have,

5. Change your perspective.

6. Choose a positive mantra, e.g., say to yourself daily, “I bear no grudge or resentment in my heart”.

Nevertheless, if someone around you is bitter, do these:

1. Don’t confide in him. He doesn’t deserve your trust.

2. Do not sympathize with his course; They complain always.

3. Don’t be rude, but don’t always agree with him. He usually wants to his way.

4. Counsel him, and talk to him about it.

Anger and bitterness affect material growth. Bitterness will harden, break, and destroy the good in your life. Bitterness erodes optimism, shatters joy, and kills our ability to love others. A bitter person lives in a land of spiritual and material poverty. Therefore, learn to control your situations and relinquish to God what is out of your control, for it’s not all the time we can get all we want.

PRAYER

In the name of Jesus Christ, Father cleanse me of every bitterness and strengthens my heart of forgiveness and gratitude. AMEN

FURTHER READING: Hebrews 12:15; Colossians 3:8; Ecclesiastes 7:9; Ephesians 4:32

Mary Lawrence-Dokpesi

Mary Lawrence-Dokpesi was born in Nigeria to Patrick Abuda Obeakemhe and Juliana Fatimatu Obeakemhe, both from Ogbona Town. With a master’s degree in law, she was called to the bar at the age of twenty-two, and she is currently the principle partner of the law firm Mary Lawrence-Dokpesi & Associates. She is also the founder of two philanthropic organizations: the Living Waters Mission and the Rose Croix Foundation. In addition to law, Lawrence-Dokpesi was drawn to spiritual pursuits at an early age, having begun studying philosophy, theology, chaplaincy, and spirit therapy by the age of eighteen. Inspired by her spiritual calling, she has produced ten intensively researched manuscripts on spiritual matters. Although Understanding the Spiritual was the last to be written, it is the first to be published. Lawrence-Dokpesi is a mother and a wife living in the city of Abuja, Nigeria.