“Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:31-32 NLT)
When bitterness is coupled with rage, as in the above verse, it means “extreme wickedness” with ongoing negative implications. It speaks of an anger that won’t go away; that becomes as if it were a boiling rage that demands a destructive response. That’s what happened to the Jewish religious leaders in Mark 3 when Jesus healed the man with the deformed hand.
Their anger wouldn’t subside because, in their minds, Jesus had disrespected and disregarded what they understood as their Sabbath demands, an anger that would become a bitter root of rage until they ultimately had Jesus nailed to the Cross. That’s why it’s so critical to handle anger quickly and effectively, we literally can’t know where it might lead.
Solomon wrote in Proverbs 16:32: “He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.” (KJV) Tim Keller made an interesting observation when he said: “Worry is not believing God will get it right, and bitterness is believing God got it wrong.” Worry is like a spiritual ulcer that eats away at our faith, while bitterness becomes as a raging storm bent on destroying everything in its path, including our faith.
Notice what Jesus said in Matthew 6:25-27 (NLT): “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life – whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to Him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?”
David Jeremiah gives us sound guidance when he writes: “But we can minimize anxiety. One of the greatest techniques of peaceful people is learning to go about today’s business while leaving tomorrow in God’s hands. As you focus on what God has placed in front of you today, the giant of worry about the future will fade! God will take care of today and tomorrow.” (See Turning Point Horrors! – 02-07-23)
Did you notice the word Dr. Jeremiah used? “One of the greatest techniques of peaceful people.” A person at peace with Jesus, themselves and others will not be bitter and is far less prone to worry. The place to start in dealing with bitterness and worry is at the feet of the Savior. He is the “Prince of Peace” and will enable us by His grace and through the powerful ministry of His Holy Spirit to conquer worry and bitterness before they conquer us.
Some wrongly assume worry isn’t a problem, but worry is a sin that robs God of glory and us from the peace that only faith can give. Each moment we have a choice. We can borrow problems from the future through worry, or we can trust the Lord for today’s provision and trust Him with tomorrow when it comes.
“But I need to prepare!” we tell ourselves. But faithful prayer and trust in our Savior IS preparation. Without trusting the Lord, we nullify whatever profession of faith we make and essentially destroy whatever positive witness we might be seeking to make. The logical question then becomes: “Can I trust Jesus for eternal salvation and heaven, but not trust Him for today’s provision?”
Food for thought.
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 