“. . . So likewise shall My Father in heaven do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses (error, sin or willful transgression) !”
Matthew 18:21-35, Mark 11:25-26 & Matthew 6:14-15
How to be Free from Bitterness ! – (PDF) click here to read the full text
“Before we can get rid of bitterness, we have to realize that we are bitter. How can we tell if we are bitter? One good rule of thumb is this: Bitterness remembers details. You have had thousands of conversations in your life, most of which you have forgotten. But this one took place five years ago, and you remember every single word, his intonation, and the inflection of every part of his voice. You know exactly what happened—which means you are bitter.
Someone might object and say that it is also possible to have a good memory of a wonderful conversation. Is this possible? Yes, but not likely. Why is this? Because memory is helped by review, review, and more review.
People do not usually mull over the wonderful things as much. But they do go over and over and over the bad things. I have done quite a bit of counseling with people who are in the process of getting divorced. I have known some since the time they were married, at a happier time in their life. But at the time of the divorce they cannot remember a single happy time. All they can remember is that which they have gone over and over. They are bitter . . . !”
“Let all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice be put away (taken away, removed) from you. And be ye kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as God for Christ’s sake forgave you. Be ye therefore followers of God, as dearly loved children and walk (live a life of ) in love, just as Christ also hath loved us and given himself for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God . . . !” Ephesians 4:31-5:2