A ROOT OF BITTERNESS
Hebrews 12:15 New Living Translation (NLT)
15 Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.
One of the definitions of "bitterness" is: "anger and disappointment at being treated unfairly; resentment." This feeling of being treated unfairly may be ever so small but it is in reality a DEADLY POISON that will affect every area of our life, especially our relationships with others. We may think that we are able to hide our anger but others will sense it and often quietly withdraw from associating with us which will only increase our own suffering and likely intensify our resentment. If we compromise even slightly with bitterness it will be like a deadly poison and will not only ruin our relationships but will also bring all kinds of sickness and physical problems. Few people would knowingly drink some poisonous substance but think nothing of allowing anger and resentment to abide in their consciousness. Even more serious is that harboring bitterness can cause us to fail to receive the enabling grace of God. Does this mean that God stops loving us if we are bitter? No, but it does mean that we are cutting ourselves off from partaking of the empowering aspect of grace and making ourselves weak physically, spiritually, mentally, and socially.
With God all things are possible but we must earnestly set our feet on the path of unconditional forgiveness and love. Then God's grace comes in and we receive His almighty power and what humans call "miracles" begin to happen (see Philippians 2:12-14). Think about this seriously, examine your own hearts, and without further delay take whatever steps needed to put your spiritual house in order.
"I know from personal experience how damaging it can be to live with bitterness and unforgiveness. I like to say it's like taking poison and hoping your enemy will die. And it really is that harmful to us to live this way."--Joyce Meyer
tomdurst1@msn.com
