The First Step of Forgiveness

i think bitterness does not ever coincide with joy. So we can't have joy if we have bitterness. And i think when we get rid of that bitterness, the joy of the lord can really flow through us. Through forgiveness, god has healed me. He set me free, and he's produced something beautiful. The first step of forgiveness feels like death. Acknowledging what's hard for you is a good place to start. No know it, name it and bring it to the light. I don't think wounds that are left untreated will heal. And i don't think the bitterness that we bury will heal either. But there's a lot of power in bringing things to the light