I’ve never lost a child, but mental health challenges and lingering trauma have driven me to my knees in fear that Death’s shadow clouded my son’s eyes. When pain burrows into the soul, sorrow sinks deep and hopelessness follows close behind.
Can you relate? Have you ever wandered into a wilderness that seemed barren of promise? The Israelites did, too.
So Moses brought Israel from the Red Sea; then they went out into the Wilderness of Shur. And they went three days in the wilderness and found no water. Now when they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter. Therefore the name of it was called Marah. And the people complained against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?” So he cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a tree. When he cast it into the waters, the waters were made sweet. (Exodus 15:22-25)
With their tongues sticking to the roofs of their mouths, hope filled the hearts of the people as water glimmered on the horizon. They would survive. But when wetness dampened the scout’s tongues, each one gagged–then spat.
Marah.
Bitter.
Discontent spread like infection among the people. God had abandoned them. And the known of slavery exceeded the unknown to which God had brought them.
Sorrow, Grief, and Bitterness
We sorrow and grieve because our souls yearn for the perfection of the Garden. For the undying beauty of immortality. For inseparable relationship with loved ones. They are emotions that must be acknowledged and managed well or interlopers like bitterness settle in to rob us of joy.
We sorrow and grieve because our souls yearn for the perfection of the Garden. For the undying beauty of immortality. For inseparable relationship with loved ones. Click To TweetBethany Verrett shares, “Instead of embracing and going to God for comfort, bitterness sets man against God, calling Him unfair and unloving.”
After escaping more than four hundred years of back-breaking slavery and witnessing a series of miracles–one more incredible than the next, the Israelite’s aperture still limited their ability to believe. To believe God would rescue. Provide. Deliver.
Instead, the people stirred up emotion and invited its counsel. But fickle feelings provide poor therapy and disgruntled companions are even less reliable.
Consider the verses below:
- But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. (Hebrews 3:13)
- But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. (James 3:17)
- Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered. (Proverbs 28:26)
- Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered. (Jeremiah 17:9)
I understand the temptation. If I’m honest with you, I’ve tasted marah on my own tongue. Felt it flow through my veins. Then, hurled bitter words of complaint at the Lord. Unlike the Israelites, I camped at Marah for two years–my tent stake buried in the sand and my heart as dry as the desert.
Have you ever tasted sorrow or grief that painful? That dark and brackish it settled sour in your stomach and altered your life? You aren’t alone. Scripture lists others who understand. People like Job, Naomi, and Hannah. But bitterness, when allowed to remain, destroys spiritual, personal, and even physical health.
If bitterness toward God or another has weaved its way into your life, can I encourage you to invite God into the places of marah? When we allow the fresh flow of the Holy Spirit to wash us of bitterness, only His sweetness remains.
When we allow the fresh flow of the Holy Spirit to wash us of bitterness, only His sweetness remains. Click To TweetA Prayer to Overcome Bitterness Toward God
Father God,
I’ve clung to bitterness against you. I cannot understand why you have allowed this pain life and I admit my faith is not as strong as I had hoped. “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief.” (Mark 9:24) Please forgive me for entertaining anger and believing you do not care. I know you have “plans to give [me] a future and a hope”. (Jeremiah 29:11) Would you flow through me, Jesus, like sweet water and “renew a right spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10)
In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen
Two Prayers to Help Overcome Bitterness When You Struggle with Sorrow Click To TweetA Prayer to Overcome Bitterness Toward Someone Else
Dear Jesus,
I admit my bitterness toward ___________ and give it to you today. Although I feel justified, Lord, your word tells me to “let all bitterness be put away” (Ephesian 4:31). Forgive me for believing you will not provide in this area and give me your “peace that passes all understanding” (Philippians 4:7). Help me to love ________ as you do, God. I thank you that “your mercies are new every morning.” (Lamentations 3:23)
Amen
Two Prayers to Help Overcome Bitterness When You Struggle with Sorrow Click To Tweet
Peace and grace,
Tammy
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Oh Tammy. I felt every one of these words. The feelings you describe are all too familiar to me. And I’m sorry they are to you as well. This prayer is perfect and I’ll continue to ask the HS to wash away bitterness and leave sweetness. Sharing this on social media.
Lauren, my heart aches for you. Sorrow married with bitterness is such a tough burden to carry. Praying for you now, friend.
In His love,
Tammy
I appreciate Bethany Verrett’s quote, “Instead of embracing and going to God for comfort, bitterness sets man against God, calling Him unfair and unloving.” I’m sad for the two years of bitterness that you experienced and rejoice with you in your freedom from its vile clutches. I’ve witnessed two older ladies who were physically crippled by resentment, bitterness and unforgiveness toward someone in their life. Therefore, I have cried out for God’s grace to forgive others and to refuse bitterness that defiles many. May His life-giving waters of life flow through us to others, Tammy.
Hi Lisa,
Bitterness devours us from the inside. I’ve seen in impact in the lives of others and am grateful the Lord set me free. I pray vulnerability will open the doors for honest conversation.
Blessings,
Tammy
Thank you, Tammy for a beautiful post and hopeful prayer. As you know, I am well acquainted with grief and sorrow, and my heart weighs heavy for you too, dear friend. Thank you for directing us to the only One who can heal the wounds that cut so deep.
Donna, grief seems inescapable in this life. I can’t imagine moving through it without the God of all comfort. Praying you are well!
Peace and grace,
Tammy
It is easy to let bitterness take root. Thanks for your encouragement and the prayer. I really needed that today.
Hi Sarah,
It can be a difficult battle. I’m glad to have helped.
Blessings to you,
Tammy
Great post. I have definitely experienced bitterness and I do let it creep in too often. Thank you for the prayer.
Hi Jen.
My pleasure. He understands our humanness. I hope you were encouraged!
Blessings,
Tammy
Such an encouraging post to let go of our bitterness and to experience the peace and joy in Jesus. “They are emotions that must be acknowledged and managed well or interlopers like bitterness settle in to rob us of joy.” What a powerful and true thought!
Hi Dawn,
Bitterness twists our mindset, but Christ’s peace transforms us.
Thanks for stopping by!
Blessings,
Tammy
Thank you. Been there as well. I also appreciated the Bethany Verrett quote, “Instead of embracing and going to God for comfort, bitterness sets man against God, calling Him unfair and unloving.”
Hi Sylvia,
Isn’t Bethany’s quote insightful?
Have a wonderful day!
Blessings,
Tammy
I’m really having to guard against bitterness in this season of life so I appreciate your words, Tammy. We know that the root of bitterness never produces good fruit and I don’t want any part of it in me.
Hi, Lisa.
I feel for you. I’m walking through another time when I have to surrender my thoughts each day as I seek the mind of Christ. I hope I’ve grown enough to apply what I’ve written about in this post. I’m praying for you this morning, friend.
Blessings,
Tammy
Although, like everyone, I’ve experienced seasons of pain and bitterness, but the loss of a loved one is the hardest. Of course, God is big enough to take my shouting, anger, and anguish without retaliating. He carried me through the caregiving and the harsh, unbearable stab of grief. I’ve learned that the grief doesn’t go away, but God sends light to banish the total darkness of despair to bring glimpses of hope. Thank you for sharing prayers.
Oh, Katherine, my heart grieves for you. I’m praying His special comfort for you today–“Lord, wrap your daughter in your arms and breathe hope over her wounded heart.”
Peace and grace,
Tammy
“They are emotions that must be acknowledged and managed well or interlopers like bitterness settle in to rob us of joy.” Tammy, I appreciate that you don’t try to paper over our feelings with a Christian platitude. These real feelings must be acknowledged even as we refuse to allow them to take root and control us. Thank you for the scripture-based prayers you included as well.
I love the Scriptures you pointed us to – we all have different traumas and griefs, but He has taken our sorrows and we are so blessed to have Him to guide and heal us.
We each have a story, don’t we? I couldn’t agree with you more. I grieve for those who don’t know His comfort.
Peace and grace,
Tammy
Thank you for sharing these verses.
Hi Paula,
It’s my pleasure! Have a wonderful weekend.
Blessings,
Tammy
Lauren,
Thanks so much for sharing!
Peace and grace,
Tammy