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EN(dur)ANCE by Robin Gudal

Have you ever bit into something bitter? Even as I think of it my mouth and eyes twitch.

Merriam Webster defines bitter as “exhibiting intense animosity, harshly reproachful, marked by cynicism and rancor.” None of the above leave a happy feeling when read.

“Bitterness is always destructive — and the person it destroys is the person who is bitter. Your bitterness doesn’t change your situation, nor does it change the person who hurt you. But it does change you — and not in healthy ways. This is why the Bible compares bitterness to a deadly poison and urges us to cleanse it from our souls. If we fail to do so, we not only sin, but we pay a stiff price for our failure. No one likes to be around someone who is bitter and angry all the time.” — Billy Graham

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.” — Ephesians 4:31

I once was bitter. Life and how I chose to view it made me such. It is not a fun place to hang out. I was miserable and made those around me miserable. I didn’t even like myself when I was in that mood.

I am thankful I realized it before the root was embedded too deeply. I remember the exact moment I realized this:

I was a young momma, and I was on a phone call. What welled up in me was an ugly, venomous, nasty, unloving reaction to the situation being discussed. I hung up the phone and was shocked at how I felt — ashamed, not proud of myself in any way, shape or form. It scared me! I knew change needed to happen immediately.

There are moments I still falter; I just don’t hang out there.

“There’ll be days I lose the battle. Grace says that it doesn’t matter, ’cause the cross already won the war. He’s greater, he’s greater.” — “Greater,” Mercy Me.

“If you ever struggle with this, let me encourage you to turn course. How is this possible? I believe it’s only possible as we submit our lives to Christ and turn our burdens and heartaches over to him. It may not be easy for you to do, but honestly confess your bitterness to God, and then ask him to replace it with Christ’s love and peace.” — Billy Graham

“As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn’t leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I’d still be in prison.” — Nelson Mandela.

“Forgiveness is the key that unlocks the door of resentment and the handcuffs of hatred. It is a power that breaks the chains of bitterness and the shackles of selfishness.” — Corrie Ten Boom

My prayer is that we choose to be better than bitterness!

Robin (Beckman) Gudal is intentional in life, a wife, momma, nana, friend and a flawed and imperfect follower of Jesus.