1. Do you let negative thoughts stew for weeks?

2. Could you quickly list some people who are frustrating you?

3. Do you have lots of imaginary, angry conversations with people (& win those conversations)?

4. Do you have lots of stress and anxiety?

5. Do you lack long-term friendships?

If any of these are true of you, a toxic bitterness may be poisoning you.

Some people rarely lose their cool in the moment. They grit their teeth and soak in a toxic bitterness that sours to the last drop. This bitterness produces long-lasting resentment, unhealthy relationships and lots of nasty stuff on the insides of people.

The Scriptures forbids both explosive rage and its poisonous cousin, bitterness.

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice” (Ephesians 4:31).

We are commanded to get rid of ALL of it.

Bitter people often have ridiculously high expectations. And when they are not met, they grow frustrated.

“Be not angry that you cannot make others as you wish them to be, since you cannot make yourself as you wish to be” (Thomas A’ Kempis).

Another common denominator to this bitterness is gossip. When bitterness is eating us up on the inside, our inclination is to spew, but our cowardice keeps us from going to the person with whom we have the problem. So we go to others, and the poison spreads.

Toxic bitterness + cowardice to reconcile + selfish indulgence to spew = Gossip.

Bitter people also assume the worst in others. This cuts short friendships and increases anxiety.

Be honest. Is a toxic bitterness poisoning your system?

So how do you get rid of bitterness and anger? More to come on that tomorrow.

Related Post: 4 principles for resolving conflict