Bitterness

I have just been reading about something, and I really do not want to go there. It may be too late already, but if it is, I am unaware of it. If it was just theory I could easily dismiss it. Trouble is, I see it around me and it affect a lot of people.
I am talking about bitterness. I really like what I have been reading. It puts it a way I have not seen before and it rings true with me. The article is by a guy called Charles Swindoll. He starts by saying “There is perhaps no more miserable existence on earth than that of a prisoner of war.” Later on he laments “Many a man who was the victim of mistreatment in an enemy camp returned…liberated and free to start anew…yet strangely, remains in prison.” “A change of location is no guarantee of a change of heart.”
Merril could confirm one of my experiences. In fact, when I said nothing, she confirmed what I felt. An ongoing injustice was done to me. I know I cannot take credit for my reaction (the roles could so easily be reversed), but the person who perpetrated the injustice would never know. I treat them well.
That is not to say that actions do not inform my behaviour. On more than one occasion I have had to pursue a course of action based on what I have seen. I know what is possible, and if I see the thing happening again, I take the necessary steps to avoid it.
It seems to me so easy to let bitterness take a hold of me and without fail others are affected adversely. I have seen this first-hand. Someone I know is bitter. The thing is, I do not even need to bring the matter up – they do. Then I get an earful of someone else’s deficiencies. When it is not just me they are talking to, I have seen others offended.
The thing that gets me about that is I know that if I point a finger, there are three that point back at me. I know I cannot set myself up. There is no doubt I have failed people. Often it is not something that is set out to be done. It just happens.
Swindoll likens being held captive by bitterness to being held captive in prison. “The bars of bitterness will not let the battle end.”
Bitterness is not just confined to one type of person. Anyone is capable of being bitter. The effect of it though is universal in that it does no one any good. When my actions come from it often others are hurt too.
There are sometimes other things at play and action is justified. But I need to always examine my motives to ensure I am not just “Getting my own back.” Maybe they “got what they deserved” but if I am responsible for that happening, I need to be careful I was not acting from bitterness.
To me, there are heaps of times an injustice is perpetrated. I could be kept very busy righting perceived wrongs. I see righting wrongs as a good thing. I need to be careful though, my reasons for doing something come from a good rather than an ugly place.