Have you ever been bitter? Emotional bitterness is caused by sorrow, betrayal, or deep pain. It can be accompanied by cynicism and resentment, even hatred. In reality, bitterness is quite dangerous. Not only can it make us harsh toward others, it can even affect us emotionally and spiritually. In the New Testament we read, “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you…” We also read, “See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.” Bitterness is a cauldron of toxic brew. We should do all we can to get out of a bitter state of mind and heart. Sunday we’ll see that Naomi became bitter. She had lost her wealth, her husband and her two sons. Her grief was not only the result of her loss, she believed that God was against her for her choice to leave Bethlehem. Bitterness and faith are not mutually exclusive. Ruth believed in the Almighty but she was still bitter. There may have been other reasons for her bitterness but at least part of the problem was her focus on what she didn’t have. One of the ways “out” of bitterness is to begin to be grateful for what (and who) we do have. If you are struggling with some bitterness today, try thanking your way out of it. You might have more than you think.