We all experience bitterness once in a while, but the danger of bitterness is that it can become ingrained in a person. It can, and will, adversely affect one’s relationship to others. Trust me, I know.
Years ago I went through a brief period of bitterness which fostered resentment, and finally a deep-rooted anger. The issue centered on my perception of how some ex colleagues had neglected me. It got so bad (in my mind) that I’d wake up angry in the middle of the night. I couldn’t let the matter rest. It threatened to consume me.
The best advice I received was from a person who, other than God, best knew me—my mother. She had little formal education, but she read her Bible and prayed a lot—in fact a heckuva lot. Perhaps because of all that praying and fretting over her family, God bestowed upon her uncommon wisdom. After listening to my rants (over a number of days), her simple prescription was to pray for the men I held grievances against. Most, notably, she didn’t take sides.
So, pray I did. It worked.
Naaman and the little girl
Bitterness is something I have to constantly guard against. I bet I’m not alone. Look at the evil occurring in this world and it can creep up on you. Most recently for me, it was the Oct 7 (2023) attack on Israel by Hamas. But it wasn’t just the shocking slaughter of Israelis; it was the callous reaction of some western (and even Christian) supporters of Hamas which began to embitter me.
And the Syrians had gone out on raids, and had brought back captive a young girl from the land of Israel. She waited on Naaman’s wife. Then she said to her mistress, “If only my master were with the prophet who is in Samaria! For he would heal him of his leprosy.” 2 Kings 5:2-3
Under the title Battling Bitterness, Alistair Begg’s devotional recounts the story found in 2 Kings 5. He notes of that example,
In the midst of her great suffering we catch a glimpse of her tender heart… If she had allowed to become embittered….she might have concluded, “Well, it’s nothing more than he deserves.” But she didn’t. She wanted the best for her enemy, rather than hoping for the worst.
Those bad guys get away with everything!
Those bad guys get away with everything, don’t they? Well, no they won’t. Notice I said “won’t.” Sometimes, in this life they seem to do just that. But eventually they won’t. In fact this subject comes up in Psalm 73.
Behold, these are the ungodly, who are always at ease; they increase in riches. Psalm 73:12
When I thought how to understand this, it was too painful for me–until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I understood their end. Psalm 73:16-17
Christians have a mandate to pray for, and love, their enemies.
Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles Proverbs 24:17
But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. Luke 6:27-28
One final thought: our enemy could be beloved of a brother and sister in Christ who are praying for their salvation. None ought to wish the eternal damnation of the lost for something they’ve done. We must honestly look in the mirror.
The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9
Maranatha!
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