When I was in Bible school, my instructor shared with us the secret to longevity in ministry.  He said simply, "If you don't get bitter, you'll make it."  He went on to explain that there are plenty of opportunites in ministry to get hurt, and if you don't let go of that hurt, it will turn into bitterness.  My teacher said it was the best piece of advise he could ever give us.  And he was right.

Many a minister has quit the ministry, and many a Christian has quit their walk with the Lord, because of bitterness.  The Hebrew word for "bitter" is pikra, which means something sharp and pointed.  Bitterness will lodge itself in your soul like a cancer.  It will cause you constant pain, destroy your dreams, your joy and your purpose. Bitterness is the death of ministry. 

It is a cancer that needs to be dug up by it's roots and the healing balm of Jesus needs to be applied. Ask the Great Physician to reach His healing hand into your hurting heart and perform spiritual heart surgery.  Ask Him to yank out the root of bitterness and close open wounds, smooth over scar tissue, tear down the walls in your heart, and give you love for the person who hurt you.