Hurt feelings, unfortunately, are a part of life. Sometimes we hurt others and then sometimes we are the ones getting hurt. Many times hurt feelings last a few days at most and then we forget all about it, especially when the one who hurt us apologizes.

There are other times when the hurt goes deeper and even when the people hurt us ask for forgiveness we just cannot let it go, even when we want to.

Unforgiveness will eventually always turn into bitterness. As time goes by bitterness starts to creep into all aspects of our life including our personality. We go from being bitter about an event or a hurt or a wrong done to us to being a bitter person. That is why Paul wrote and warns us not to let a “bitter root spring up” .

A root is usually always underground and hidden, but its evidence of life is seen above ground in the leaves and fruit. You can always tell what type of plant or tree by its leaves and fruit. As a result, you can know what type of root it has even though it is hidden underground. It is the same with bitterness. When we have a bitter root we are always on edge or angry, the smallest thing will cause us to lash out or erupt. When we are bitter we are like a simmering pot of hot water that boils over when the smallest heat is applied, we just cannot help it.

Peter said that “Love covers a multitude of sins”. For us to be free from bitterness we need to be able to love the people who hurt us and then forgive them as we ask God for His help.

Jesus said to ” love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!” . That seems impossible but Jesus was talking from experience, He said “My burden is light“, God does not expect us to do something that is impossible. When we pray for our enemies, God starts a process in our hearts so that we have for love that person.

When we ask for forgiveness for our sins from God He is faithful to forgive and never remembers them or holds them against us. In the same way, He wants us to put the hurt and bitterness behind us and forgive all just as He forgives us.

There are some wrongs and hurts that are so terrible that forgiveness seems out of the question and impossible. Murder, rape, all sorts of atrocities — how can something like that be forgiven?

Corrie ten Boom lived in the Netherlands during World War II and was sent to a concentration camp along with members of her family.  As you can image, she experienced so many horrific things and endured terrible abuses. Yet, Corrie also learned about forgiveness and was able to forgive and even love the guards. Years after the war a man came up to Corrie, one of the cruelest overseers at the camp, and asked for her forgiveness. At first, she was unable to forgive the guard for his cruelty, but then she remembered Romans 5:5 “The love of God is shed abroad into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who is given to us.” Corrie was freed by the truth of the verse and was able to take the guard’s hand, call him brother and forgive him. We can do all things through Christ, even forgiving the worst hurt.

Whatever wrong, no matter how big or small, we must forgive. This is the love that Christ shows and He showed it when He was being crucified:  He asked that his tormentors would be forgiven.

Jesus will give eternal life to anyone who asks and the bible reminds us to look forward to that life, and not allow our joy and peace to be robbed by the cares of this world. When we do this the troubles of this world seem “light and momentarily“.

The way to be free from the bitterness and unforgiveness that consumes us is to love and to forgive. “Love keeps no records of wrongs“