God’s plans for us are always filled with hope and promise, and His intentions for our lives will ultimately prevail. However, our journey to receive these blessings can sometimes be hindered if our focus is misplaced or if our hearts are not aligned with His Will. As a woman who desires marriage, it is essential to ensure that your focus remains on what truly matters and that our hearts are in a state that welcomes God’s blessings.
In Ephesians 4:31 (NLT), God tells us to “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.” This verse highlights the need to cleanse our hearts of negative emotions and behaviors that can obstruct our ability to receive God’s blessings. We may not want to admit it to ourselves, but bitterness, anger, and malice are not only harmful to our well-being but can also create barriers between us and the blessings God has planned for us.
Remove the barrier
Proverbs 30:21-23 (NLT) states: “21 There are three things that make the earth tremble–no, four it cannot endure: 22 a slave who becomes a king, an overbearing fool who prospers, 23 a bitter woman who finally gets a husband, a servant girl who supplants her mistress.” The third thing that makes the earth tremble should be of great interest to any woman that desires to be a good wife. It speaks of a bitter woman who finally gets a husband, but it is a loveless marriage lacking the support, affection, and respect that God intended in a marital partnership.
Very few women will admit they’re harboring bitterness in their hearts. They’ve become so comfortable with it that they fail to connect it to an inability to spiritually see the opportunities God has placed in their midst. Overcoming bitterness and removing the barrier it creates between us and the blessings we seek requires our brutal honesty. We must acknowledge the presence of bitterness in our hearts. The psalmist said in Psalm 32:5 (NLT): “Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the LORD.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.” Admitting the issue is the first step toward healing, and a required step of repentance.
Forgiveness, a powerful antidote
Repentance begins with recognizing our sin and having a genuine sorrow for going against God and His Word. 2 Corinthians 7:10 (NLT) states, “For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death.” This kind of repentance isn’t just about feeling bad; it’s a heartfelt, gut-wrenching remorse that compels us to seek God’s forgiveness as we come before His throne of grace. Many women carrying past heartache and bitterness might not have fully dealt with their anger, which blocks them from receiving God’s grace. They have not repented for the bitterness they’re carrying. We must be clear that true repentance means more than just being sorry—it’s about letting that sorrow lead to real change, letting go of bitterness, and embracing the forgiveness and renewal God offers.
Forgiving those that have wronged us is a powerful antidote to bitterness. It’s not always easy, but it is essential for freeing yourself from the grip of resentment. Matthew 18:21-22 (NLT) shares a conversation between our Master Jesus and his disciple Peter: “Then Peter came to him and asked, ‘Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?’ ‘No, not seven times,’ Jesus replied, ‘but seventy times seven!’” Practicing forgiveness involves releasing grudges and choosing to let go of past hurts, which pleases God, breaks down barriers, and increases our spiritual growth and healing.
No woman should walk into marriage with bitterness in her heart—it’s a recipe for disaster. Instead, she needs to let go of past hurts and cling tightly to God and His Word. Repentance is key and being guided by the Holy Spirit will help keep her heart pure. By putting Jesus Christ in his rightful place of authority and making sure he is the head of her relationship, she sets the stage for a marriage that’s built on love, trust, and faith in God. Letting go of resentment and embracing His guidance means entering marriage with a heart that’s ready for genuine love, loyalty, and longevity. ■
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
“A Bitter Woman Who Finally Gets a Husband” , written by Kim Times, edited by Fran Mack and KLizzie for Sundie Morning Sistas ©2024. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! SMS is dedicated to inspiring and encouraging Christian Women through the Word of God.