Bible Verses for bitterness

When resentment sits in you.

Open a passage to read its reflection and prayer. In the app, Take a Break picks one of these at random each time you open it.

1. 1. Luke 7:44

   And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.

   Reflection and prayer

   I mask my dry heart with correctness.

   Insight My careful observance of religion hides a heart that is dry and distant.

   Prayer Lord, soften my heart to truly love You.

2. 2. 1 John 4:16

   And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

   Reflection and prayer

   I dwell in God's love.

   Insight I am shaped by the love that lives within me.

   Prayer Let Your love be my home, Lord.

3. 3. Luke 15:20

   And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

   Reflection and prayer

   God runs to me with compassion.

   Insight God's compassion is so deep He runs to meet me.

   Prayer Father, help me trust Your compassionate welcome.

4. 4. 1 John 3:17

   But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

   Reflection and prayer

   My faith opens my hands

   Insight My faith becomes real when I open my hands to help.

   Prayer Lord, open my hands to help those in need.

5. 5. Ephesians 4:32

   And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

   Reflection and prayer

   I forgive as I am forgiven

   Insight Because God has forgiven me completely, I can offer that same tender forgiveness to others.

   Prayer Make me kind and forgiving like you.

6. 6. 1 Peter 3:8

   Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:

   Reflection and prayer

   My compassion unites me with others.

   Insight Having a tender heart toward others brings us together as one.

   Prayer Unite us in brotherly love and humility.

7. 7. Genesis 50:21

   Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.

   Reflection and prayer

   I show forgiveness by caring.

   Insight Forgiveness means I care for others, just as Joseph did.

   Prayer Lord, help me turn forgiveness into kind care.

8. 8. Hebrews 13:3

   Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.

   Reflection and prayer

   I am bound with my brothers

   Insight When I remember those in chains, I feel their suffering as my own.

   Prayer Lord, help me feel bound to them.

9. 9. Luke 15:28

   And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.

   Reflection and prayer

   My resentment grows from comparison.

   Insight When I compare my service to others, resentment builds inside me.

   Prayer Father, free me from comparing my service to others.

10. 10. Hebrews 13:1

    Let brotherly love continue.

    Reflection and prayer

    I actively nurture love for others

    Insight I strive to keep brotherly love strong among us.

    Prayer Lord, help me actively love my brothers and sisters.