So much of life can be spent spinning our wheels in bitterness. We wrongly think that harboring anger and resentment toward others doesn’t affect anyone. Think of one person toward whom you feel bitterness. Write a candid letter to that person, expressing forgiveness toward the end. Throw away the letter, or send it to the person, if you feel God is prompting you. Pray that God will heal your heart, and that this bitterness will no longer seep into your parenting.

—Mary E. DeMuth

This is part of Mary E. DeMuth’s guided journal, “Creating the Family You Always Wanted,” a 12-week journey in Christian parenting. Twice a week, you’ll receive a new journaling prompt encouraging you to think about your family–and God–in new ways. Use these prompts in your own journal or in group discussion. If you’re joining this journal mid-way through, you can start journaling at any time, and stay subscribed at the end, when the journal will restart and you can receive the prompts that you missed.