Jesus' Suggestion to Eliminate Bitterness

Jesus knew our natural tendency to harbor bitterness, and anger toward people that hurt us or could be considered our enemies. He offers the recipe for relief in Luke 6:27. “But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you.” Challenging words to hear, and even tougher to apply, but these counterintuitive actions are the key to true joy and freedom.

 I know that when I have had bitterness take root in my heart toward someone it is an increasingly debilitating thing that steals my joy and inhibits me. I find freedom from the grasp of bitterness when I pray for that person, ask God to bless them, and try to think of a way that I could bless them, small or big. When I follow through with these things a transformation happens. As difficult as they are at times, these actions turn something dark into light, and free us from the chains of bitterness. Loving when it is not deserved is only a fraction of the kind of love that our Savior showed us.

 Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

 Jesus laid his life down for those who hated him, cursed him, mistreated him, and persecuted him so that if they accepted His gift of forgiveness and salvation their sins would be forgiven and they would come to know the true blessings of abundant life. That is amazing love and the legacy of Jesus Christ that continues to resound through generations.

 Living A Legacy Proverbs 13:22 “A good man leaves an inheritance for his childrens children...”