Bitterness

Not long ago, my husband and I were deeply hurt by the actions and words of someone we had previously respected.  Now, as we search for a new beginning, I struggle to keep the root of bitterness from taking hold in my life.  My sinful heart wants to blame that person for so many things, to lash out and to tell anyone and everyone who will listen the depth of my hurt.  But, I know that that is not what I am called to do.

Bitterness is common in my family.  I come from a lineage of 50+ years of multi-generational family feuding and, while I don't believe that sin is hereditary, I do see trends in the sins of family members.  I can't change the past, but my branch on the family tree has yet to be completed and I can choose a different course than the ones that have defined five decades.  

So, I am committing to pray for the one who hurt us.  I commit to pray that that person finds joy in Christ and that God will be glorified.  I commit to find every possible means to forgive that person, so far as it depends on me.  

Trust for that person is gone and, without repentance and obvious change, cannot be restored, but saying that I forgive means, for me, that I choose to live without bitterness and that I choose to see that God can still work in that person's life.