RELATIONSHIP KILLER Part 4: Bitterness

BITTERNESS

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 NIV
24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

Neglect leads to regret.
Nurturing leads to Fulfillment

The source of our destructive anger is something going on inside of us.

Stop and replace every critical thought with a positive affirmation

Bitterness is a blame game.

Bitterness is the fruit of unforgiveness.

Ephesians 4:32 NIV
32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Hebrews 12:15 NIV
15 See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.

Bitterness kills the soul. Anthony Ray Hinton

Ephesians 4:31-32 NIV
31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Proverbs 14:10 NIV
10 Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can share its joy.

Colossians 3:13 NIV
13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Matthew 6:14-15 NIV
14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Matthew 18:21-22 NIV
21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.

Ephesians 4:31-32 NIV
31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Bitterness paralyzes… forgiveness empowers.

Bitterness imprisons…forgiveness releases.

Bitterness sickens… forgiveness heals.

To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover the prisoner was you. – Corrie Ten Boom