bitterness consumes, prayer heals.

bitterness is a terrible thing.
i can't tell you how many times i've heard someone say,
"bitterness is like drinking poison and expecting someone else to die."
well....
it's true.
i hate being bitter with people. it's just not right,
and it's not healthy, and it does me no good, unfortunately.

i've found that there is a cure for bitterness, however.
that's right, there is hope that we may be free from the bondage of bitterness and may forgive those we don't necessarily like for doing wrong to us.
you want to know what it is?


pray for them.


if you're anything like me, you've heard this approximately a thousand times in your life, but have never tried it, because.... well, let's be honest, we kind've enjoy having a reason to hate someone and a reason to be angry.
but when you pray for someone, it's impossible to hate them. you still might not reach the point of forgiveness in that instant that you pray, but hey, you're at least better off than when you started.

now i'm not talking about praying stuff like, "God please let them know that they are wrong, and help me deal with all of this, and heal me, and help me, and convict them, God, and help them to turn from their wickedness and sin..."
you get the point.
i'm talking about praying something like, "God bless this person, and protect them, and comfort them, and God the only reason i need healing is so that i may love them like you do. forgive them, God, fill their life with joy and peace, and goodness, God."
yeah. that gets the point across alot better.

so with all of that being said. if there's anyone out there reading this, i leave you with a verse that inspires this blog.
matthew 5:43-48 says,
" ' You have heard that it was said, "Love your neighbor and hate your enemy." But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.' "

LOVE!

"His presence, His love is so thick and tangible...
and there are some who have not encountered the love of God. and God wants to encounter you and wants you to feel His amazing love. without the love of God these are just instruments, these are just songs. it's like we're just making noise. and we're never the same when we encounter the love of God. we're never the same. and if you haven't encountered the love of God -- and you would know, because you would never be the same again. if you want to encounter the love of God, you better just brace yourself, because He's coming...
God, may every heart be opened to you and a love encounter from you.
He loves us.
Oh how he loves us."

those words speak so deeply from "how He loves" by kim walker that i'm not going to say anything more. just let the words sink into your heart and the love of God overwhelm you like a sweet aroma.

Zephaniah 3:17.