Vital Signs: Monday, April 28, 2025

Three Ways to Resist Bitterness

“Watch out that no bitterness takes root among you, for as it springs up it causes deep trouble, hurting many in their spiritual lives.” — Hebrews 12:15 (TLB)

When you feel like you’ve lost everything, you will have to work hard to resist bitterness. Why? Because bitterness will do you more harm than the circumstance you went through.

Your past is past. The only way it can continue to hurt you is if you choose to hold on to it through bitterness and resentment. You need to let it go. Bitterness doesn’t change the past. It can’t control the future. All it does is mess up your life right now.

The Bible warns us clearly: “Watch out that no bitterness takes root among you, for as it springs up it causes deep trouble, hurting many in their spiritual lives.” (Hebrews 12:15, TLB)

You have a choice to make: Do you want to be bitter, or do you want to get better?

Here are three ways to resist bitterness:

1. Accept What Cannot Be Changed

Much of life is completely beyond your control. Sometimes the only way to overcome a problem is to accept it, so you can be at peace. Faith means facing reality and not being discouraged, because you know that God is still in control. God loves you—He cares for you, He sees you, and He will help you.

2. Focus on What’s Left, Not on What’s Lost

After a loss, it’s essential to find something to be grateful for. There is always something to be thankful for—and often, it's something we take for granted. Scientists have discovered that gratitude is the healthiest emotion you can have. The more grateful you are, the more emotionally and physically healthy you’re likely to be.

3. Play It Down and Pray It Up

After a loss, you don't have to pretend you weren’t hurt. But you can keep things in perspective—especially if you are leading or raising others. When children or family members suffer a loss, you can say:

"Yes, this was hard. Yes, it hurt. But we’ll make it through. God is good, and He’s right here with us. We will stick together and keep moving forward.

And then—you pray. You talk to God about it—and you keep talking. He loves it when you turn to Him in prayer. As you heal, keep asking God to work in your heart—to release your pain and help you resist bitterness.

Talk It Over:

- How has bitterness affected you or your family?

- When you accept what cannot be changed, does it mean you have to forget what happened? Why or why not?

- Why does developing an attitude of gratitude take practice?