This is insightful:
I went through about three years of struggling with bitterness as I was recovering from childhood abuses (that was the ROOT, as the article well explains). It was a ball and chain, and poison (Heb 12:15). It keeps one trapped, its not constructive. It is something that needs HEALING, not condemnation.
Since then, on occasion, I have been accused of bitterness when I wasn’t. I was angry. There’s a difference between anger and bitterness. I made great progress in my own healing and health when I was able to give myself permission to be angry. Unlike bitterness, anger is neutral. Even Jesus was angry. Appropriately handled, anger can be a God given force toward freedom from bondage.
Charis, this is soooo true.
Bitterness is a root.
And men who teach against bitterness in women go about it all wrong.
Their advice doesn’t get to the bottom of it.
They just don’t want to deal with it so they try to sweep it away and shame women into appropriate, male-approved behavior.
(Just sit here at my feet cause I like it when you’re sweet and you know it ain’t feminine to fight )
Thank God that He is NOT afraid of the bitter root, nor does He feel compelled to shame us into certain behavior.
He cares about our hearts and what is going on in them.
He is gentle and loving and healing to our hearts.
May every woman find her way to the healing waters of God.
“Unlike bitterness, anger is neutral. Even Jesus was angry. Appropriately handled, anger can be a God given force toward freedom from bondage.”
I saw that Jesus got angry in the bible.
What I think in my heart is that anger is so natural, and a catalyst for change.
I wish that I would be blessed with not getting angry, but I wish more that I can be blessed with the ability to hold my tongue and wrath in everything I do.
Sometimes I will wake up, angrily talking to someone who is angry at me. It seems to take so much longer to let the steam out, when I HAVE to turn away. Everything just spins. Sometimes for longer than a day.
(and my legs are jelly when walking away from slights, I walk funny when I’m angry, and everybody’s words just keep building on the original anger)
This has happened MORE often now that I know more things, now that I am a Christian, now that I realize there are so many vocal “anti-christ’s” out there.
Maybe this is like picking scabs, I know the answers.
I need to strengthen myself in patience.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,”
My great uncle told me, “1)Watch your associations. 2) Stay in the word.”
Robert
Thank you, Mara. Healing words as is your blog on bitter to sweet,
Robert, the Lord will strengthen you as you keep pressing in to him! Remember to put on the full armor of God for “we do not fight against flesh and blood” Eph 6