Bitterness

One of the greatest tragedies that can occur in someone's life is that their heart is filled with bitterness. When we lock ourselves in the exclusive contemplation of our problems and frustrations, without wanting to do so, we inevitably build an insurmountable wall that does more harm, precisely, to ourselves. The worst thing is that no one is safe from the possibility of becoming bitter. Unlike what many people believe, bitterness does not depend on the external situations that assail us but on the attitude with which we face the dissimilar events that surround us.

In Psalm 73 the writer is dedicated to looking at the events around him and his analysis begins to be disturbing. In the same way that it happens to us, he sees that those who least deserve it often more than achieve the desires of their heart. Pride and arrogance seem to bear good fruit in this world, at least apparently.

We are often tempted to think that sincere, clean and disinterested effort to invest our lives for the good of others is not worth it. Too often in my ministerial life I have heard very wounded people say: I think my dedication of love and sacrifice has not been worth it. In a graphic way, the writer says: My soul was filled with bitterness and my heart felt pangs, I was so clumsy that I did not understand. Have you ever felt the same? Have you seen those who are dedicated to doing evil, succeeding and living better, while you are still in the same condition or even worse?

The reality is that in situations like this we must change the focus of our gaze. It is not the contemplation of the apparent triumph of evil that must occupy our minds. The solution is to seek and deepen our relationship with God. The psalmist says: Until entering the sanctuary of God I understood… (v. 17) When the inconsistencies and tragedies of life begin to cause you bitterness, there is no doubt: the first step should be to draw closer to God and contemplate the greatness of his plays.

Why entertain ourselves in contemplating everything that others have, or what we do not have, or the apparent way that others who do not trust God do well in the way that we do? What do we gain from making a list of our frustrations and disappointments? Or the evil that others develop around us? All this produces bitterness.

The psalmist offers us the remedy to get away from the clutches of bitterness: But as for me, approaching God is good; I have put my hope in the Lord God, to count all your works (v. 28).

Whenever you discover that bitterness is making its way into your heart due to injustices or contradictions around you, dedicate yourself to listing the works of God. Count his blessings, remember his innumerable expressions of love, contemplate his ineffable grace, his abundant forgiveness, his infinite mercy.

Counting the works of God is the best antidote to bitterness.

God bless you!