Scripture teaches that holding onto hurt and resentment can hinder our relationship with God and others. In Ephesians, we are instructed to put away bitterness, while Philippians encourages us to bring our concerns to God in prayer, trusting in His peace. As we surrender our hurts to God, we can learn to forgive, just as Matthew reminds us that our forgiveness of others is tied to God's forgiveness of us. By trusting in God's sovereignty, as Proverbs advises, and leaving vengeance to Him, as Romans 12:19 cautions, we can begin to let go of the burdens that weigh us down.
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Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, so that in due time He may exalt you. Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.
“Be angry, yet do not sin.” Do not let the sun set upon your anger, and do not give the devil a foothold.
But reject foolish and ignorant speculation, for you know that it breeds quarreling. And a servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome, but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, and forbearing. He must gently reprove those who oppose him, in the hope that God may grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth. Then they will come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, who has taken them captive to his will.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God, and that no root of bitterness springs up to cause trouble and defile many.
“Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted over the earth.”
Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but think of yourself with sober judgment, according to the measure of faith God has given you. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and not all members have the same function, so in Christ we who are many are one body, and each member belongs to one another. We have different gifts according to the grace given us. If one’s gift is prophecy, let him use it in proportion to his faith; if it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is giving, let him give generously; if it is leading, let him lead with diligence; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. Love must be sincere. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another. Do not let your zeal subside; keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, persistent in prayer. Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but enjoy the company of the lowly. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone. Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.” On the contrary, “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.
If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.
God is not a man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?