It can be easy to think that hatred and bitterness are interchangeable. And while they often go hand in hand, they can manifest in our lives in different ways. The root of bitterness can sneak up on us. It can take hold of our lives in ways that we don’t notice. Bitterness hides itself until it builds up enough and spills over into different parts of our lives. It is hidden in hatred, comparison, resentment, and so many other emotions and thoughts. Bitterness poisoned Haman’s heart and contributed to his awful tyrannical decisions. It was hidden in every thought, every action, and every moment of his life. Bitterness not only controlled Haman. It ruined him.

There have been many times in my own life when bitter feelings I had no idea I was holding onto bubbled to the surface and affected my actions. I can recall many times when these bitter roots turned a simple argument with one of my older brothers into a full-on throwdown. Bitterness can root itself in our hearts without us even realizing it. This root of bitterness will only grow poisonous fruit. Bitterness stands in the way of our relationships with others and our relationship with God. We do not have control over how others treat us, but we do have control over how we respond and what we hold on to going forward. Choosing to let go of any bitterness will allow us to harvest a fruitful life that honors God and leads to us flourishing. We can ask God to reveal any of these hidden feelings of bitterness and to help us let go of them.

• Final thought: Ask God to remove any roots of bitterness that may be lurking in the different pieces of your life.