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 Tweet

Bethany 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 Tweet

A 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 Tweet

A 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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