How do I overcome a bitter spirit?
On the human front, the biblical strategy for overcoming bitterness is forgiveness. Forgiveness is making a commitment to release the offender from the punishment you believe they deserve for the hurt they’ve caused. Often the bitter person will insist that the offender doesn’t deserve forgiveness. This places the angry person in the judge’s seat and only further fuels his bitterness. … Read More
What we can learn from Jonah about anger
Jonah had an anger problem. A really big one. Sure he could push it down for a chapter or two (his book only has four chapters), but before long it would come roaring back again. The final chapter closes with Jonah sitting on the side of a mountain, being good and angry at God’s gracious ways. It actually appears that a … Read More
Avoiding the Dead End Road: Overcoming self-pity
Self pity is best defined as the preoccupation with oneself because your hopes, desires, or expectations have not been realized. It is an unproductive attitude, habit-forming and destructive to our relationships. Still we choose this pattern of thinking as if it were our only option. God revealed his thoughts on self-pity within the opening pages of Scripture. The first two … Read More
The truth about how anger works…
I struggle with anger. Perhaps you do too. When I succumb to my anger it feels like I don’t have control over my emotions, thoughts, and choices. It seems like decisions are being made for me. It feels like I’m in a box. But is that reality? The following video illustration helps to clarify. If you are receiving this via email or Facebook … Read More