May 1, 2023

What bitterness do you struggle with?  What anger do you want to let go of?

In Journey Church’s “My Life’s a Mess” series, people who were a part of the in person service last Sunday placed in trash cans cards on which they’d written the bitterness they want to overcome or the anger they want to get rid of with God’s help.  Here’s some of what they wrote:

I’m letting go of the bitterness or anger I have . . .

Toward a friend who betrayed me

Toward the person how took advantage of me

Toward the men in my mom’s life that beat her

Toward the person cheating on me

Toward the person that hurt one of my family members

Toward my teammates

Toward the person who is disrespecting me

Toward the friend who is slandering me when I stated a need and a boundary

Toward someone I love

Toward myself

Toward my ex

Toward my family

Toward my Viet Nam horror

Toward the broken system used at my employment and the administration that supports it

Toward my granddaughter for hurting me so much

Toward my brother and daughter-in-law

Toward my family’s selfishness

Toward every toxic leader

Toward the darkness of this world

When you experience bitterness or anger, remember the teaching of scripture:

Be angry and do not sin.  Don’t let the sun go down on your anger, and don’t give the devil an opportunity.  Ephesians 4:26-27 (CSB)

Banish bitterness, rage and anger, shouting and slander, and any and all malicious thoughts—these are poison.  Instead, be kind and compassionate.  Graciously forgive one another just as God has forgiven you.  Ephesians 4:31-32a (VOICE)

-Michael