THREE ANGELS BROADCASTING NETWORK DEVOTIONAL
The Bitterness Bottle.
By Jill Morikone January 17th, 2026
From the beginning, I felt uncertain. A bit wary. Never quite free to be me. A friend I’ll call Mary was gifted in many areas yet was fairly forceful in her opinions, so ours was definitely a tightrope relationship.
One day, as I stepped into a room, I heard unfamiliar voices—and one I recognized. Surrounded by a crowd, she had her back to me. I hesitated for an instant, then froze—she was talking about me!
Her words poured out—critical words, belittling words, cutting words. I stood rooted to the spot, both stunned and unable to tear myself away. After what seemed like an eternity, but more likely a couple of seconds, I turned and slipped away.
That day, our relationship took a nosedive. Oh, I never told Mary what I’d overheard, and neither did I tell anyone else. Like any “good Christian,” I smugly thought I was handling the matter well. After all, I wasn’t gossiping about her, and I still treated her kindly. However, as I harbored these thoughts, I bottled up a simmering resentment.
Months slipped by. Deliberately ignoring and suppressing the turmoil inside, I naïvely thought all was well between my soul and Jesus. Then one day, as I worked on my dishes, I began memorizing a new Bible text—Hebrews 12:14–15 (KJV).
“Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord,” I repeated ignorantly as I scrubbed a plate. I rejoiced that, to the best of my knowledge, my heart was right with Jesus—and with my fellow brothers and sisters. (My resentment was buried so deeply I couldn’t even sense it!)
Then came a sudden jolt as my eyes scanned the next verse: “Looking diligently, lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.”
Instantly, the Holy Spirit spoke: Jill, you have bitterness bottled up in your heart! This bitterness is not only affecting you; it will spread to affect your marriage, your friends, and your ministry!
Earnestly, I sought forgiveness—for my judgmental spirit and the bitterness boiling inside me. However, cherished bitterness doesn’t fade away easily. Every time I saw Mary I felt my chest tighten, and realized that root of bitterness still controlled me. Daily, I asked God to remove it, but it still lurked deep within my heart.
Finally, in desperation, I decided to pray for Mary. Not just a quick, easy prayer, but a painful prayer—one that would cost me something. Each day I pleaded with God for her. For her home, and marriage. For her health, and job. For her kids, and family. I asked Him to shower her with financial and spiritual blessings, and use her in His service, standing her up to be all He’d called her to be as His daughter.
Day one—no change.
Day two—the same.
Day three—ditto.
Then, on about day four or five, God transformed my heart! I have no idea how He did it—I just know He did. Gone was the bitterness, the desire for revenge, the sick feeling at the mention of her name. Jesus had won!
True forgiveness didn’t come easily for me. I couldn’t conjure it up by sheer willpower. It came from Jesus—freely offered, divinely given. What a wonderful thing to be free at last! Free to commune with my brothers and sisters; free to live in love and peace; and free to serve. “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” John 8:36.
The Bitterness Bottle.
By Jill Morikone January 17th, 2026
From the beginning, I felt uncertain. A bit wary. Never quite free to be me. A friend I’ll call Mary was gifted in many areas yet was fairly forceful in her opinions, so ours was definitely a tightrope relationship.
One day, as I stepped into a room, I heard unfamiliar voices—and one I recognized. Surrounded by a crowd, she had her back to me. I hesitated for an instant, then froze—she was talking about me!
Her words poured out—critical words, belittling words, cutting words. I stood rooted to the spot, both stunned and unable to tear myself away. After what seemed like an eternity, but more likely a couple of seconds, I turned and slipped away.
That day, our relationship took a nosedive. Oh, I never told Mary what I’d overheard, and neither did I tell anyone else. Like any “good Christian,” I smugly thought I was handling the matter well. After all, I wasn’t gossiping about her, and I still treated her kindly. However, as I harbored these thoughts, I bottled up a simmering resentment.
Months slipped by. Deliberately ignoring and suppressing the turmoil inside, I naïvely thought all was well between my soul and Jesus. Then one day, as I worked on my dishes, I began memorizing a new Bible text—Hebrews 12:14–15 (KJV).
“Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord,” I repeated ignorantly as I scrubbed a plate. I rejoiced that, to the best of my knowledge, my heart was right with Jesus—and with my fellow brothers and sisters. (My resentment was buried so deeply I couldn’t even sense it!)
Then came a sudden jolt as my eyes scanned the next verse: “Looking diligently, lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.”
Instantly, the Holy Spirit spoke: Jill, you have bitterness bottled up in your heart! This bitterness is not only affecting you; it will spread to affect your marriage, your friends, and your ministry!
Earnestly, I sought forgiveness—for my judgmental spirit and the bitterness boiling inside me. However, cherished bitterness doesn’t fade away easily. Every time I saw Mary I felt my chest tighten, and realized that root of bitterness still controlled me. Daily, I asked God to remove it, but it still lurked deep within my heart.
Finally, in desperation, I decided to pray for Mary. Not just a quick, easy prayer, but a painful prayer—one that would cost me something. Each day I pleaded with God for her. For her home, and marriage. For her health, and job. For her kids, and family. I asked Him to shower her with financial and spiritual blessings, and use her in His service, standing her up to be all He’d called her to be as His daughter.
Day one—no change.
Day two—the same.
Day three—ditto.
Then, on about day four or five, God transformed my heart! I have no idea how He did it—I just know He did. Gone was the bitterness, the desire for revenge, the sick feeling at the mention of her name. Jesus had won!
True forgiveness didn’t come easily for me. I couldn’t conjure it up by sheer willpower. It came from Jesus—freely offered, divinely given. What a wonderful thing to be free at last! Free to commune with my brothers and sisters; free to live in love and peace; and free to serve. “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” John 8:36.
THREE ANGELS BROADCASTING NETWORK DEVOTIONAL
The Bitterness Bottle.
By Jill Morikone January 17th, 2026
From the beginning, I felt uncertain. A bit wary. Never quite free to be me. A friend I’ll call Mary was gifted in many areas yet was fairly forceful in her opinions, so ours was definitely a tightrope relationship.
One day, as I stepped into a room, I heard unfamiliar voices—and one I recognized. Surrounded by a crowd, she had her back to me. I hesitated for an instant, then froze—she was talking about me!
Her words poured out—critical words, belittling words, cutting words. I stood rooted to the spot, both stunned and unable to tear myself away. After what seemed like an eternity, but more likely a couple of seconds, I turned and slipped away.
That day, our relationship took a nosedive. Oh, I never told Mary what I’d overheard, and neither did I tell anyone else. Like any “good Christian,” I smugly thought I was handling the matter well. After all, I wasn’t gossiping about her, and I still treated her kindly. However, as I harbored these thoughts, I bottled up a simmering resentment.
Months slipped by. Deliberately ignoring and suppressing the turmoil inside, I naïvely thought all was well between my soul and Jesus. Then one day, as I worked on my dishes, I began memorizing a new Bible text—Hebrews 12:14–15 (KJV).
“Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord,” I repeated ignorantly as I scrubbed a plate. I rejoiced that, to the best of my knowledge, my heart was right with Jesus—and with my fellow brothers and sisters. (My resentment was buried so deeply I couldn’t even sense it!)
Then came a sudden jolt as my eyes scanned the next verse: “Looking diligently, lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.”
Instantly, the Holy Spirit spoke: Jill, you have bitterness bottled up in your heart! This bitterness is not only affecting you; it will spread to affect your marriage, your friends, and your ministry!
Earnestly, I sought forgiveness—for my judgmental spirit and the bitterness boiling inside me. However, cherished bitterness doesn’t fade away easily. Every time I saw Mary I felt my chest tighten, and realized that root of bitterness still controlled me. Daily, I asked God to remove it, but it still lurked deep within my heart.
Finally, in desperation, I decided to pray for Mary. Not just a quick, easy prayer, but a painful prayer—one that would cost me something. Each day I pleaded with God for her. For her home, and marriage. For her health, and job. For her kids, and family. I asked Him to shower her with financial and spiritual blessings, and use her in His service, standing her up to be all He’d called her to be as His daughter.
Day one—no change.
Day two—the same.
Day three—ditto.
Then, on about day four or five, God transformed my heart! I have no idea how He did it—I just know He did. Gone was the bitterness, the desire for revenge, the sick feeling at the mention of her name. Jesus had won!
True forgiveness didn’t come easily for me. I couldn’t conjure it up by sheer willpower. It came from Jesus—freely offered, divinely given. What a wonderful thing to be free at last! Free to commune with my brothers and sisters; free to live in love and peace; and free to serve. “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” John 8:36.
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