Title: Bitterness Runs Deep: 7 Steps to Uprooting the 7 Roots of Bitterness & Reclaiming Grace
Author: Dr. Beverly Carnes-Lowe and Isabella Campolattaro MS
Publisher: XlibrisUS
ISBN: 978-1-6698-0227-3
Genre: Self-Help & Spirituality
Pages: 76
Reviewed by: Allison Walker
Pacific Book Review
Weeds grow easily in a garden like toxic thoughts in the mind. When bitterness takes root in your mind, it can be difficult to uproot it. Authors Dr. Beverly Carnes-Lowe and Isabella Campolattaro MS share tips to plant the seed that lets you grow into a happier, more content version of yourself in their book, Bitterness Runs Deep: 7 Steps to Uprooting the 7 Roots of Bitterness & Reclaiming Grace.
Bitterness Runs Deep identifies seven roots of bitterness, or toxic emotions. The authors list seven tips to help readers recognize and overcome these bitter roots. There are a lot of powerful action items to support readers moving through the seven steps. Like the tree of life given to Adam and Eve to eat, by uprooting the bitterness in your garden, you allow for the trees to thrive and yourself to grow in wisdom and God’s Holy presence
For the religiously inclined, Bitterness Runs Deep addresses both the emotional and spiritual consequences of allowing bitterness to take root in your garden. It’s no coincidence that Carnes-Lowe and Campolattaro identified seven steps to guide healing from seven roots of bitterness. Seven has long been a sacred number. Take, for example, the seven Sacred Mysteries, the seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit, or the seven deadly sins and seven Virtues. Throughout the book, the authors supply a truly impressive store of Biblical verses to find courage from. God is a powerful and necessary force in this process. The first step of the seven, in fact, is to pray to God and increase in prayer throughout the journey. At the same time, a lot of Carnes-Lowe and Campolattaro’s advice is in taking ownership of your emotions. “It’s important to acknowledge to ourselves that we’re hurt or angry… without judgment,” the authors write.
Bitterness Runs Deep is an excellent choice for readers who want a self-help book which acknowledges their Christianity and trust in God. This book actively supports and encourages using prayer and faith in your recovery process. At the same time, Carnes- Lowe and Campolattaro tell readers they need to become active participants in your own healing journey. You aren’t going to pray the bitterness away without a lot of honest, hard work toward self-improvement. Have a prayer on your lips and this book in your hand, but with your other hand take hold of the roots of bitterness and tear them from the soil of your life.
