If everything in your life is good and everyone is being nice then do you feel like there must be something wrong that you don’t know about? When it is quiet do you start suspecting that people are talking about you behind your back? Do you think joyful people are annoying and naive? Do you mistrust peace? If you answered no to any of these questions then let me share with you how simple it is to get to that place.
1.Remember that you are more important than everyone else.
Yes, always try to place yourself as the most important person in your world. Do not think of others as having any value. No one else is worth understanding. Never try to see things from another’s point of view. If you are the most important then how you feel about things is all that matters. Intent, reason, grace, and forgiveness can easily be set aside when you count your feelings as simple facts. Learn to trust your feelings as your truth. Say “my truth” whenever possible, it communicates how centered your world is around yourself.
2.Everyone intends the worst possible thing by everything they say
If things others say can be taken in a negative way then that is the only interpretation you should consider. Especially if it can be negative about you (keeping in mind principle #1). You can always be certain of the most vitriolic meaning in what others say. But do not stop there. You must include the uncertain as offensive. If you don’t understand something someone else said then you can be sure it was meant as an insult. At the very least you should be offended that they spoke over your head. The implication being that you are stupid.
3.Do not follow Jesus.
It’s simple, Jesus did not get offended by others words, attitudes, actions or dirty looks. Instead, he proclaimed truth regardless of who was offended by it. He only got upset when he saw people trying to get right with God being taken advantage of (Mt 21:12-13). In addition, he warned his followers that being his disciple meant they would be hated by others and that this was no excuse for not loving them. He said good sense makes you slow to anger, and it is your honor to overlook an offense. Taking an offense is an option. You have to choose it. It is a trap that places you captive to the emotional response (2tim2:23-26).
If you will use these three principles of bitterness then you will successfully stay captive to other people’s opinions and criticisms.
by 