Third, understand that it can only be quenched by the shield of faith.
This flaming dart of bitterness cannot be quenched by:
• trying to stop feeling bitter,
• looking on the bright side, or
• taking a deep breath and counting to 10.
None of those will quench the flaming dart, because none of those involve faith. The only way to quench Satan’s darts is with the shield of faith—faith in Christ.
So how do you pick up that shield and use it?
Fourth, turn to Jesus Christ.
The shield is a shield of faith, and faith means trusting all that God has promised to be for us in Jesus Christ. So, turn your heart to Jesus Christ.
You don’t need to get rid of your bitterness first. Because of Jesus’ death on the cross, you can turn to him as you are, confessing your sin and asking him to forgive you for your bitterness. And he will.
Then ask him to help you use the shield of faith to extinguish this flaming dart of bitterness.
Fifth, find promises which counter the flaming dart.
Faith means trusting all that God promises to be for us in Christ. So it’s crucial to find promises in God’s word—specific, blood-bought promises—which counter the flaming dart.
So what promise would help with bitterness over what someone did to you, or said about you? I have found Genesis 50:20 helpful, because this is what Joseph said to his brothers after they had sold him into slavery:
As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.
Sixth, pray over those promises until you feel God strengthening your faith and changing your heart.
Here’s how I might pray over Genesis 50:20:
Father, help me understand this promise. This verse says that whatever this person did to me, you meant for good. But all I’m feeling now is the bad that has come from what they did. So help me trust that you are using this to bring me the greatest good of your nearness, love and glory, as you promised in 2 Corinthians 4:17–18. Please, Father, give me that greatest good now. Satisfy me so fully in yourself that my bitterness is comforted and I am rejoicing in you.
This might take some time. But wait patiently on the Lord (perhaps prayingPsalm 40:1–3 or Mark 2.1–12″ data-version=”esv” data-purpose=”bible-reference”>Mark 2:1–12 or Revelation 5:1–14). You might also want to ask some brothers or sisters in Christ to pray with you and for you.
As you pray over God’s word, he will help you. He will strengthen your faith, help you see and feel the glory of Christ, and change your heart. You will move from feeling bitterness, hurt and anger to feeling contentment, satisfaction and joy in Christ.
And the flaming dart will be extinguished.
This article originally appeared here.
