Unyoked Living: Living a Life on Mission Post DivorceSample

Topic: Unyoking From Bitterness

Memorize: Ephesians 4:31-32 (NIV)

"Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."

Read: Colossians 3:12-14 (NIV)

"Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."

Bitterness can easily take hold of a hurt heart and make it hard to carry out the goal God has for us. Letting go of it is a vital part of living life on a mission. Paul, the Apostle, writes a powerful message to the Ephesians about how important it is to let go of anger. He tells us in Ephesians 4:31–32 (NIV) to "Get rid of all malice, wrath, and anger, as well as all fighting and slander." Let's be kind and sensitive to each other and forgive each other, just as God forgives you in Christ.

This Bible verse shows how forgiveness can change things. Along with forgiving others, it tells us to stop being angry and start being kind and caring, just like Christ did for us. One of the most important things we have to do as Christians is show kindness, love, and forgiveness to people who have hurt us.

Colossians 3:12–14 (NIV) gives us more information on how to break free from anger. As God's chosen people, we are to dress ourselves in traits that bring people together and help them heal. This part of the text says, "Therefore, as God's holy and beloved people, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience." Be patient with each other and forgive each other. If someone has hurt you, do what the Lord did and forgive them. Put love on top of all these principles because love is what holds them all together perfectly.

Bitterness often starts when people don't want to let go of their hurts and complaints. But these texts make it clear that the call to forgive doesn't depend on what the other person did. Instead, it comes from the fact that we are God's chosen and deeply loved children. Knowing how much God forgives us gives us the grace to forgive others too. We can no longer be held back by anger because of this act of grace. It frees us to carry out our goals of love, healing, and reconciliation.

Key Point:

In divorce recovery, unyoke yourself from bitterness. Extend forgiveness as Christ forgave you. Bitterness hinders your mission. Today, choose kindness and compassion.

Prayer:

Lord, help me release bitterness and choose forgiveness. Fill my heart with kindness and compassion, allowing me to live out the mission You have for me.