The Importance of Relating
Beating Bitterness – Part 2

Scripture Reading:  James 3:13-16

Key Verse: Ephesians 4:31

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.

I believe bitterness deserves a two day study.  I think it may be a very common issue in our relationships with relatives.  Yesterday’s devotional tried to define bitterness so we can identify it when it starts to invade our lives.  Today I want to look at God’s tools available to us to beat bitterness!

            The first tool is to focus on the Holy Spirit that resides within every believer.  The Bible tells us we can keep in step with the Spirit or we can grieve the Spirit.  We must take full responsibility on which way we choose.  We must not remain victims of the hurts that come our way!  If we allow bitterness to rule, we grieve the Holy Spirit of God!  The Holy Spirit is God in us and He can provide wisdom and power to beat bitterness.

            The second tool is God’s kindness.  We receive God’s kindness as His children in new doses every day.  But God expects us to be generous and give it away, not hoard it selfishly.  When someone hurts you, don’t return to them some hurt to get back at them.  Rather, return some deed of kindness.  You will find that God’s tools work powerfully!  Of course you will have a fight with your own “flesh” as it will not want to show kindness to your enemies.  With God’s help, you can use God’s tools and receive divine results!

Father, when my relatives hurt me, help me to use your wisdom to deal with it.  Grant me sensitivity to the Holy Spirit and I will stay in step with Him.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.