qt_bitter

"Better is a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city." -Proverbs 16:32

"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal." -1 Corinthians 13:1

If you don't practice the very things you're preaching and claiming to believe in (love), you are simply a noisemaker...an annoying one at that!

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices in the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a

Is this demonstrated by your anger and tendency to become bitter? Even if you have been wronged, you have no authority to become hard-hearted, or to retaliate in revenge.

"If any of you is without sin, let him be the first one to throw a stone at her." -John 8:7b

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." -Ephesians 4:29

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

Lord, I've been wronged though! I can't do this alone and I don't feel like it right now. Please strengthen me during this time and keep me from harming others. Please let me deal with this immense pain without lashing out at others. Let my heart be one like yours; of forgiveness, hope, faith, meekness, grace, and love. Convict me to keep my mouth shut and my heart pure.

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