Sin of Bitterness or Joy in Jesus? It's Our Choice!

            Have you had your Joy Juice today?  We can’t be truly joyful if we are harboring bitterness in our hearts.

            Proverbs 28:13 says: “Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.”

             The question here is this: Is bitterness a sin? The Bible tells us repeatedly that it is!  Once we recognize that bitterness has taken hold of our hearts, we need to confess it to the Lord and to our accountability partners!  Do you remember the story of Naomi in the Bible when she returned to Bethlehem after losing her husband and sons? She asked her family and friends to refer to her as “Mara” meaning “bitter”.  Her situation had made her bitter; but before the end—she was blessed by the Lord with a grandson. And that bitterness turned to joy.

 When people know how we really feel, they can pray and encourage us to overcome the bitterness inside.  We need each other!  Especially, strong prayer warriors! I mentioned accountability partners earlier. Do you have someone that you can trust to listen, pray with you and wisely advise you according to Biblical principles?  If so, you are joyfully blessed.  If not, ask the Lord to lead you to at least one person who can fill that role in your life.

May each of us desire to get rid of all bitterness and be accountable to living a joyful life in Christ.