Notes
As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. "Joseph, son of David," the angel said, "do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."
All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord's message through his prophet: "Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means 'God is with us."
Matthew 1:20-23
Become better, not bitter. No matter what has happened in your life or what injustices you've faced, bitterness does not have to define you. Bitterness keeps you in bondage, but God invites you to something better—something that leads to freedom and peace.
Joseph had every reason to become bitter, yet instead he chose to experience better. His world was turned upside down, and his future seemed uncertain. Yet, instead of choosing bitterness, Joseph chose obedience to God. He trusted the message that God was with him and was working through his circumstances for a greater purpose.
For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.
John 3:16-17
Jesus came so we can have a right relationship with our Creator. He came to fill our hearts with the fruit of His Spirit–love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
God can work in your heart when you choose to let go of bitterness. He will help you live better—more at peace, more like Christ.
Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.
Romans 12:18
We can't always control what happens around us, but we can control how we respond. Instead of holding on to hurt, anger, or offense, Jesus calls us to forgive as He forgave us.
Don't look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal's death on a cross.
Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:4-11
Jesus gave everything—not because we deserved it, but because of who He is. He forgave us when we were far from Him, and He continues to show us unmerited grace.
When we talk to God about the situations that hurt us, He often reveals something that needs to change in our own lives. We can't control others' actions, but we can take responsibility for our own hearts. Will we allow bitterness to take root, or will we trust God to bring healing and transformation?
But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.
Romans 5:8
Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends yo Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
Colossians 3:13
Forgiveness isn't easy, but it's necessary. Holding on to unforgiveness poisons our hearts and stops the progress God wants to make in our lives. God gave us forgiveness freely, and He calls us to extend that same grace to others. We need to allow room for those who have hurt us to respond.
God offers forgiveness to all who are willing to respond. He makes room for transformation, and He invites us to trust that He is still at work today—just as He was in Joseph's life. Trust that God can really change the world, and that He can really change a person's heart.
Jesus didn't come to leave us in our bitterness or brokenness. He came to restore and redeem. When we release bitterness, trust Him fully, and forgive as we've been forgiven, we allow His goodness to flow through us. Let God make you better, not bitter.
Group Questions
- Have you ever experienced a situation where bitterness tried to take root in your heart?
- Why do you think forgiveness is so necessary for spiritual growth and progress?
- How can unforgiveness hold us back from what God wants to do in our lives?
- What is one step you can take this week to move from bitterness to better?
Prayer
Thank you for sending Jesus to restore our relationship with you. Help us to release any bitterness that is holding us back. Help us to release any bitterness that is keeping us from displaying the fruit of the Spirit.