Bunny Bitterness by Robin Densmore Fuson

 

Definition of Bitterness: hard to bear; grievous; distressful: a bitter sorrow.

causing pain; piercing; stinging: a bitter chill.

characterized by intense antagonism or hostility: bitter hatred.

hard to admit or accept: a bitter lesson.

resentful or cynical:

 

Read the synonyms list.

Hostility, malice, corrosiveness, severity, bile, acidity, anger, jealousy, venom etc.

Interesting words I found relating to bitterness. One stuck out to me: Malignancy. Say you went to the doctor because there was a lump growing on your body. You never want to sit across the desk of the specialist when he says the word malignant. Yet that is the same meaning as bitterness. A malignant mass of self-destruction.

A close relation of mine lived with bitterness for over thirty years. Her bitterness drove a wedge between herself and others. She let it fester and became malignant. Every conversation came around her hurt and the one who had caused the hurt.

One time, I told this woman about something important in our lives and she acted like she didn’t hear. The same old record of bitterness and accusation came tumbling out of her mouth. No thought about the current event of a two-year-old breaking her arm. No, the bitterness consumed her.

This woman let bitterness destroy her life. She pushed most friends and family away and they only came around out of duty. Why? She pet her bitterness. She stroked it. It felt good to berate others instead of forgiving them. She could’ve let it go. This woman was stuck in the past in a swirling bitter world that didn’t let others in.

I had a time when I felt betrayed and a seed of bitterness cropped into my soul. I have two daughters and each came to me privately and said, “Mom you’re turning bitter. You are going to become a bitter woman like... They referenced the woman I mentioned and that shocked me. I started to defend myself but realized they came to me out of love for their mother and believer in Christ. I wasn’t insulated because I was a Christian. I had the same propensity to sin as anyone. Bitterness can creep in and grow if we don’t pull it out and replace it with forgiveness. We can start by stoking our anger and hurt and a little thing develops into large cancerous bitterness.

I didn’t want to be that person. I went to the Lord and gave Him the problem the issue that could destroy me and let Him handle it. I asked for help in forgiving them.

I’ve been stroking, loving on this sweet cute bunny all this time. Isn’t he adorable? This is my bitterness. This is what I see. Cuteness. Comfortable. Familiar. Soft and cozy.

But

This is what God sees.

Ugly. Heavy. Solid and corrupt. Wicked. Sinful.

Bitterness is an addiction. A tiny thing grows out of control.

What does God’s word say about bitterness?

Eph. 4:31

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.

Amos 6:12

Can horses gallop over boulders? Can oxen be used to plow them? But that’s how foolish you are when you turn justice into poison and the sweet fruit of righteousness into bitterness.

Hebrews 12:15

Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.

Deut. 29:18

I am making this covenant with you so that no one among you—no man, woman, clan, or tribe—will turn away from the Lord our God to worship these gods of other nations, and so that no root among you bears bitter and poisonous fruit.

Bitterness is a poisonous root  and can become a idol in our lives. We give our bitterness more interest than we do our Lord.

What are we to do?

Acts 8: 22-23

Repent of your wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive your evil thoughts, for I can see that you are full of bitter jealousy and are held captive by sin.”

Acknowledge the bitterness. Ask for forgiveness for letting the bitterness grow. Forgive the one who hurt us in the first place. Give the problem to the Lord. Replace the bitterness with forgiveness and praise. Pray for that person or persons who hurt you.

These are hard things to do. But they are rewarding.

Any thoughts? Please leave a comment.