The warnings in the Bible about bitterness are everywhere. Simply put there probably isn’t anything we can do even just a little bit that has more consequence to it than being bitter and its coralarys. The opposite is to forgive anybody of anything quickly no matter how bad what they did to us is and no matter how many times they have done what they have done. It seems a bit overboard to say it like that but Jesus is quite clear on this. We have been forgiven of everything by Him because of His death on a cross, and He commands that we forgive quickly anybody of anything. The consequences of failing to do this is Jesus not forgiving our sins, which means He will not hear our prayers, we will not have peace or joy, we won’t be able to understand the bible, we won’t have any power, and many more equally bad deals. The way I have learned to deal with these situations where I feel hurt, offended, irritated, or just plain judgmental about their life style or performance especially as it relates to and affects my life or the life of someone close to me is to make them a major recipient of my prayers for a season. In the evening when I do most of my praying I think of anyone who I am annoyed with all the way up to hate and every feeling or attitude in between. I pray God’s blessings on them and then ask God to give me the strength to forgive them as He has forgiven me. Every time a negative thought pops into my head about this person I pray, “Father, thank You for forgiving me of all my sins, I choose to forgive this person of all that they have done because You have forgive me. Please bless them with great success in life.”
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Pastor Dee's Blog 
This was SO helpful to me today! There is a new woman in our church craft group who is rubbing me the wrong way (actually all of us). She is so harsh and abrasive and I have had many un-Christian thoughts this past week. I will start today to pray for her every time I am aggravated and even in between. As always, thank you for sending your thoughts every day!
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You are welcome. Glad that the blog is helpful. Dee
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I struggle with bitterness also. There was a meme going around Facebook (that great source of wisdom 😉 ) that said, ‘Bitterness is like drinking poison and expecting someone else to die.” I thought that was a pretty graphic way to describe unforgiveness. Dee, I remember when you used this verse during a message on bitterness: ” When heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant. I was like a brute beast before God.”
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I have never been a person who holds a grudge or wishes ill will against another person, but the recent events related to my resigning as the Football Coach at Jefferson High School have really tested my faith. When things are said that are false, and accusations made that are untrue, it is very difficult without the Lords help to not want to get back at those responsible. I have learned from past experiences that when the Bible says: “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay says the Lord”, that if you let Him handle the situation instead of you trying to do it, you will have peace in your spirit, love in your heart, and renewed hope for the future. I keep repeating in my mind the words of Romans 8:28 “All things work together for good”.
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