yesterday I preached about bitterness and the consequences of it in our own life. It was one point out of 7 so it was only about 5 minutes that I talked about it, but I received so much response. I said I believed after almost 40 years of pastoring That bitterness was the worst sin possible to commit, not because of what it does to others but what it does to ourselves. It is like eating a spoone of poison every day. Forgiving anybody of anything, no matter how awefull what they did is or how often they have done it is absolutely essential for our own soul health. Forgiving someone doesn’t mean we condone what they have done or that we ignore behavior. It doesn’t mean that we don’t work at helping others to change and grow and to be part of the solution to conflict and injustice. What I do when someone does something or says something that hurts me or violates my rights or someone’s that is close to me is to pray, ” Lord, I choose to forgive this person for what they have done because You have forgiven me of everything I have ever done or will do, please help me Lord, to not be bitter and to forget this offense quickly”. When it pops back into my head and it always does I pray the same prayer again and again and again until it is gone, and if I am faithful to keep praying the prayer when ever the bitterness returns it always goes away. It is hard to put into words the feeling of being free from all resentment and bitterness in my heart. Some would say it is not possible but it is very possible for the person who has experienced forgiveness from Jesus and thanks Him daily for that amazing grace.