Hello Godly Wives!

This post is a testimony of how God transformed my feelings of anger and bitterness to hope. It also includes Bible verses and a prayer for overcoming anger and bitterness.

I Was Angry With God 

After leaving university I was angry with God because of something He did. I thought the transatlantic slave trade was a bitter experience that He shouldn’t have allowed to happen. I was even more hurt because it wasn’t the first time something like this had happened under His watch. 

I’m a little ashamed to say that the story of the Israelites being enslaved in Egypt was a thorn in my side back then. It felt like history kept repeating, and these were not the most colorful historic experiences.

My Relationship With God

I did my weekly Bible studies, prayed, went to church on Sabbaths, and even took part in the worship services, but there was this little feeling deep down inside that was like a wedge between me and God. I felt betrayed and mistreated because I knew that God could have changed the history of my ancestors, my country, and even my family. 

But there I was, holding a Bachelor of Arts in History in one hand and a cup of bitterness for God in the other hand. I had no idea when this bitterness started, but I was sure about one thing: it was taking a toll on my relationship with the Lord.

Changed In The Twinkling Of An Eye 

The amazing thing is that this same God who saw my disappointment in Him and the bitterness I was walking around with got rid of my resentment with the clap of a hand. Oh yes! He is that powerful and amazing.

If you need a real-life example of what 1 Corinthians 15:52 means, my experience on that Sabbath should be enough. I experienced a dramatic change within the twinkling of an eye.

My Transformation

So there I was in church one Sabbath. I remember very few details about that day. I can’t recall the title of the sermon, and I’m still trying to remember what the sermon was about, but I remember who was preaching, and I remember clearly the very moment my bitterness left me.

The female preacher started quoting from Revelation. While she quoted the verse with much conviction, there was a clap. (I’m still struggling to remember if she clapped before, during, or towards the end of the scripture.) 

From that moment, the transatlantic slave trade, the heaviness of plantation history, and the cruelties of enslavement were seen with new light. It’s as though the verse and the clap transported me to a new realm.

Empowered by a Bible Verse

The Lord used a clap and a Bible verse not only to transform me but also to empower me. I was transformed from a place of bitterness to a mindset of hope. I was empowered by the very thought that kept me captive in resentment.

The Verse That Changed My Anger to Hope

These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. (Revelation 7:14 NIV)

I don’t remember how many verses from this chapter were mentioned during the sermon. I don’t even remember if the entire verse was quoted. 

What I do remember is that, in that moment, ‘these are they who have come out of the great tribulation’ was a direct reference to all those who suffered the cruelty of enslavement.

I no longer saw my ancestors suffering the injustices of enslavement. Instead, my focus turned from the past and shifted to the future. I saw a future of hope and promise. A future where equity, freedom, and victory are the dominant themes. 

I saw a loving God who will not turn a blind eye to our tribulations and suffering. I saw the reward that each of us will get at the end of our journey.

Causes of Bitterness and Anger

This is just one situation where dark feelings like anger, bitterness, or resentment had a grip on my life. Unless you are perfect, more than likely you would have experienced similar emotions. Maybe you are also angry with God for allowing something harsh to happen to you or someone you love.

Maybe a family member has betrayed you in the worst possible way, and at the moment you are not yet able to imagine when the pain of their betrayal will subside.

Chances are your kids may have done silly little things that drive you nuts. Leaving their plates in the sink or not turning off the tap are just two examples that may ruin an entire afternoon for an already exhausted mother.

It could be that while you are reading this, you are currently mustering the strength to endure yet another hurdle in your marriage.

The great thing is, the dark sentiments of anger and bitterness I felt towards the Lord have subsided, and I’m confident that you will be able to overcome these feelings too.

7 Verses to Overcome Anger and Bitterness

Meditate on these verses to overcome anger and bitterness as you ask the Lord to transform you, your emotions, and your mindset.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:1-2 NIV)

Overcoming anger and bitterness begins and ends with our mindset. The constant renewal of our minds helps us to get rid of negative emotions and habits and allows us to live according to the will of God.

Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. (Hebrews 12:1 NIV)

On our journey of faith, anger, bitterness, and other forms of sin will hinder or trap us. Our goal is to get rid of them, persevere, and focus on finishing the race faithfully.

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, ²⁰ because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. (James 1:19-20 NIV)

As followers of Christ, we have to be careful when it comes to anger. We have to control our thoughts and feelings if we want to produce the righteousness that the Lord desires. Most importantly, we have to depend on Him and His strength to help us overcome feelings of anger and bitterness.

But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. (Matthew 5:22 NIV)

A great way to overcome anger and bitterness is to constantly work on our relationship with others. In ensuring that we maintain peaceful and loving relationships, we will deal with anger before it takes root in our lives and safeguard our eternal destiny.

“In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, ²⁷ and do not give the devil a foothold. (Ephesians 4:26-27 NIV)

This verse is a reminder that we are not immune to anger. It gives guidelines on what to do and what not to do when angry. The devil will use anger as a tool to ruin our peace of mind and our relationship with others. This is why we should deal with conflicts in a timely manner and not allow them to escalate.

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. ³² Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Ephesians 4:31-32 NIV)

A great way to overcome anger and bitterness is to be kind, compassionate, and forgiving. The sooner we forgive others, the sooner we will be able to move past what they have done. Don’t focus on how bad or hurtful someone is. Instead, think about how merciful and forgiving Jesus has been to you and extend that same mercy to others.

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. (John 13:35 NIV)

Love covers a multitude of sins, and this includes forgiving others for the hurt they have caused and letting go of your feelings of bitterness towards others. Being loving to others not only helps to get rid of anger but also proves that you are a disciple of the Lord.

Prayer

Are you ready to overcome anger and bitterness? Here is a prayer that you may say for yourself and others who are feeling angry and bitter.

Prayer for Overcoming Anger and Bitterness

Lord,

Help me not to turn away from You when I’m experiencing bitterness and anger. Help me to submit to You as You transform my dark feelings and replace them with hope. Help me to have positive thoughts towards You and others in spite of what I’m going through. Thank You for Your word and your power to transform.

I want to place each person who is feeling angry or bitter into Your loving arms. Embrace them with Your love Lord, give them hope, and transform their negative emotions and replace them with the fruit of the Spirit. Fill our lives with Your amazing love and transformative power. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Final Thought

I hope that my testimony about being angry with God, along with the prayer and Bible verses to overcome anger and bitterness, will help you to be hopeful as you fight these emotions.