Bitterness vs. Generosity
When we were little kids, and one of us was feeling cranky or bitter, Dad would put on his clever smile and sing a little ditty to us:
Nobody loves me,
Everybody hates me,
I’m goin’ to go and eat some worms!
Big fat juicy ones,
Little tiny skinny ones,
I’m goin’ to go and eat some worms!
The song was silly (and gross!), was accompanied by a hug, and it usually got us out of our negativism, out of our selfishness, out of our “pity-party.” We realized that Dad and Mom loved us, and were with us in our distress. Now, as an adult, I still go through bouts of bitterness, times when I resent someone or something in my life. This little tune doesn’t help much now. What to do?
One way out of bitterness and resentment is with generosity. Bitterness is a turning inward; generosity a turning toward another. Bitterness is a whining “what about me?;” generosity is a “how can I help her.” Resentment is a negative critique of him; generosity is lifting him up.
Prayer is essential. Psalm 27 is one of my favorites: “The Lord is my light and my salvation … one thing I ask of the Lord; this I seek: To dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.” This helps me get out of myself, and look upward to God.
But it is not just about me and God. The First Letter of John, especially chapter 4, teaches us that to love God is to love one another. “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also must love one another.” There is no room for bitterness when I am actively loving God and neighbor.
“They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share …” (1 Timothy 6:18). The cure to my bitterness is not a childhood song, but to generously share. Let us ask the Lord to help give of ourselves to Him and each other. Our Merciful Jesus will pour His grace on us, He loves us so much!