Denny Bates

Bitter Busters Denny Bates

Preface: The idea for this book began in 2015 but in reality, I've been gathering content for Bitter Busters for most of my adult life. And it's been true with me, and perhaps true with you too, that I've been given an endless supply of life circumstances that have pulled and seduced me to the edge of the abyss of the dark side of bitterness. And yet, by the mercy and grace of God, He has always provided a way of escape. For years I've struggled with this significant question: "Lord when will I have enough life experiences to write and then publish a book about bitterness? When will it be the right time? I want to write it from a position of strength and not weakness. Then, this dawned on me: 'Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That's why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.' (2 Corinthians 12:8-10 NLT) That settled it for me! In humility before the Lord and before you, I am writing on a painful and complicated topic. I assure you I am no authority on bitterness. But I do have a story to tell. I do have a good grasp on the biblical antidote for bitterness, a lethal cancer of the soul. And I am convinced that in spite of my "thorn in the flesh," God has graciously used my weakness and will use it to be a blessing to you. In reality, for all those who are broken and weak, we are trophies of His grace.