Publisher and Publication Date: Baker Books, a division of Baker Publishing Group. January 19th 2021.
Pages: 222 pages. Yes, I counted every written page.
Format: Paperback.
Source: Self-purchase.
Audience: Readers of Christian growth, forgiveness, sorting through painful events, bitterness, and working towards healing.
Rating: Excellent.
Bible.com has a reading plan based on this book.
An interview by Songtime Radio with the author, Stephen Viars.
Link @ Baker Books.
Link to read about (bio) Stephen Viars @ Baker Books.
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No foreword.
No introduction.
Chapter one suffices for both.
Summary:
Summarizing the back cover of the book. Overcoming Bitterness addresses the feelings and the problems associated with being bitter.
Bitterness is caused from painful life experiences. Every human has a past. Every human has experienced sadness, pain, betrayal, and abuse.
Stephen Viars, with tenderness and a shepherd’s heart, helps the reader heal. He has used several Bible characters to examine their lives and how they can help us.
My Thoughts:
Several reasons why I love this book!
1. This book came along at just the right moment for me. A God orchestrated moment.
2. At the end of the chapters there are questions for personal reflection and group discussion.
3. I love the highlighted sections in the chapters called “Pull Over and Park.” Viars directs us to read Scripture or speak honestly to God. There are questions to create further thinking on a certain topic-questions to dig deeper.
4. I love the Bible stories of Joseph and Naomi.
5. I had several aha moments. For example, I had not considered that I am bitter. I thought the definition of bitter is anger. I don’t feel angry. I have wrestled with the impact of painful betrayal, disappointments, regret, and sadness. Accepting how I feel is a first step in healing. A first step that opens the door to further work needed.
6. The book also speaks to readers who may not be a Christian.
7. Help for how to respond to bitter people.
8. Viars is a writer with the ability to speak personally and tenderly as if he is sitting next to me. In addition, he remarks that he has prayed for the readers.
9. Viars is insightful in his teaching. Naomi thought God was against her and thus God was not worthy of her trust. I’d not thought of this. It is a thought I too have had. God has been against me and thus I cannot trust Him. This has been a pivotal point to correct that thinking.
10. Words are important. Bitter words ruin relationships; and this is an agenda for the adversary-to ruin and destroy relationships.
11. I love how all the other chapters tie in as he refers to teachings in previous chapters.
Favorite Quotes:
“In other words, how you handle bitter circumstances will either lead to or prevent a bitter response in both the inner and outer person.” Page 20.
“Facing bitter circumstances is an important step in our journey. It requires courage and authenticity to acknowledge the painful aspects of living in this sin-cursed world. However, there’s also a corresponding depth of relationship with Jesus available to all who will be honest about the struggle.” Page 40.
“Two principles are coming into clear focus for every person wishing to avoid or overcome bitterness. First, God delights in placing us in unusual, unexpected, and uncomfortable situations and then asking us to trust his Word, his character, and his plan.” Page 82-83.
Words of Rejoice 
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