“Not good,” I said. The last several months at church, I had seen my ex-boyfriend with a new girlfriend in tow, and I couldn’t stop thinking about them. “I know this isn’t very Christlike, but I hope she breaks his heart.” Tears threatened as I took another sip of my latte.

“Have I ever told you about my cousin?” Jana asked. “Three years ago Michael was passed over for a promotion. He was shocked and angry. Now, instead of being glad he still has a job when so many people don’t, he is bitter and defensive.”

“Are you saying I’m bitter and defensive?” I asked.

“I’m saying I’m afraid you’re on the path to becoming bitter.”

“But Craig and I talked about marriage. I was expecting a ring, but instead he broke up with me.” I swiped an escaping tear. “I’m never going to let anyone get close again. It hurts too much to love.”

Jana squeezed my arm. “See, this is what concerns me. He broke up with you last June. You need to heal, but you don’t seem to want to. It’s like you’re stuck.” She was right, but I didn’t want to hear it. She kept going. “If you close off your heart to others, you’ll be closing it off to God. He can’t use us when we’re like that. Give Him this pain. He can heal your heart and help you move on.”

I realized then that it was my choice—become bitter or trust God with my heart. If you have any bitterness, give it to God for healing. He can turn bitterness that sours into sweetness that can be savored. It’s your choice.