Bitterness is often a by-product of finding yourself stressed to the breaking point. You start feeling bitter and resentful. You are convinced that "This shouldn’t be happening to me." The fact is, you’re going to be hurt in life – by circumstances, by things, by other people, sometimes intentionally and sometimes unintentionally, but you’re going to be hurt. You cannot stop the hurt in your life. You can’t keep yourself from being hurt. You may not control what happens to you, however, you can control how you choose to react to a particular circumstance or person that has hurt you.
You have to decide at some point in life (and the earlier on you decide this, the better it’s going to be for you), "Am I going to be bitter in life or am I going to be happy?" You have a choice. Happiness is a choice, but bitterness is a choice as well. You can make the choice, but you cannot choose both. You’re either going to be bitter or happy.
I have observed after many years that there is no correlation at all between your circumstances and your happiness in life. The fact is we all know people who have it all and are unhappy. Obviously, it’s not a matter of circumstances. Happiness is a choice. I’ve known many, many people who have gone through horrible, terrible, devastating crises -- one problem after another, yet in spite of their circumstances, they are happy and filled with joy.
The Bible tells us that bitterness is far more devastating to your life than stress is. In the long haul, bitterness will hurt you more than the actual problem that you’re going through. It’s a cancer or something that takes over your body like a virus and eats you from the inside out. The Bible is very clear about the danger of allowing bitterness to reside in your heart.
Hebrews 12:15 "Looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled".
Is there another choice besides bitterness? Gratitude is the antidote to bitterness. Studies have shown that gratitude is the healthiest emotion that you can possibly have. Count your blessings. Even in the darkest days, you can find something to be thankful for. When you invite gratitude in the front door of your heart, bitterness goes out the back. You can’t be grateful and bitter at the same time.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 "No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God’s will for you."
The attitude of gratitude is what helps you make it through a stressful situation.
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