I heard a story of a young man who, as a little boy, watched his father get taken away by members of the government. This happened in a country that did not treat prisoners well. Years later, this young man became a pastor and God impressed upon him that he had been carrying bitterness towards the government that was affecting his life. Through prayer, he was able to forgive and let go of this bitterness. The people close to him were stunned.

After telling his story, the pastor said that “bitterness had become an epidemic” in his country—and you know, I think this is true everywhere. Whether it’s the woman whose husband left after years of marriage, or the dedicated employee who worked hard only to be laid off: bitterness is a human emotion that has a way of creeping in and taking over.  When we are overcome with bitterness, we are unable to fully experience God’s grace. The Bible says that we “all fall short of God’s glory.” And once we realize this condition, and we acknowledge that God has shown us undeserved grace, we can do the same for the people in our life who have wronged us.

Are you bitter about something? If so, ask God to help you let go and forgive. Through this, God will show His grace to people in your life.    

This is Luis Palau.