God is so good.
Did you know bitterness will drive every person you know away from you? Even strangers will eventually get wind of your bitterness and run away. The Bible tells us that "the heart knows its own bitterness, and a stranger does not share its joy" (Proverbs 14:10) Understand, a bitter person will enjoy being bitter. They like being mean. I know I did. Years ago I worked at a hospital in Chattanooga, Tennessee. I know those poor nurses down at Erlanger just cringed whenever they saw my name next to their's on that big white assignment board. I was just awful. Having your child taken from you, being intimidated and bullied, even physically abused, will do that to you. It does not HAVE to do that, but it is a common reaction. I did not know at the time that I could choose to be something other than bitter.
Bitterness grows from just a tiny little seed. It only takes a little hurt. Well, maybe a big hurt, but only one, and it will get dug in good and grow like wildfire.
You see, bitterness is like a Yucca plant. Have you ever had to dig out a Yucca? Oh my goodness! A root of bitterness is very much the same thing: sharp, dangerous, stabbing blades that reach out into the world, jabbing you should you get too close. A Yucca plant has a root system that goes deep into the earth just like a root of bitterness hides deep inside your spirit, growing a vast network of new problem areas that will take considerable work and effort to cut out and destroy.
I know that now. Now, that many relationships that could have been very close, loving ones are permanently severed, I know.
I also know this:
Jesus gave us a very pointed directive to follow:
"and He answered, You shall love the Lord Your God with all your heart, and with all your souls, and with all your strength, and with all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself."
That means everybody. The family friend that betrayed you and lied to you. The minister that did something you did not like. The grocery clerk that had a bad attitude. Your husband or wife that was really snappish this morning over breakfast. The terrorist that set off a car bomb half a world away. You don't have to make yourself accessible to them for hurt again. You DO have to forgive them and determine to walk in Love because you serve, if you are a Christian, the Master of Forgiveness. That is what we are supposed to be practicing. And it is a choice. The Bible is clear about that as well.
Ephesians 4:31 tells us to "Let ALL bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be PUT AWAY from you, along with all malice".
It is our choice to stop being angry and bitter. It is our choice to stop talking about people in a harmful manner. That can be a difficult one, too. I know. When I am at home cleaning up the breakfast mess and there is no one else in that kitchen but me, I let it fly. I catch myself in mid sentence a lot. Well, the Holy Spirit catches me in mid-sentence. If it were me, I'd go all day and into the night cussing a blue streak. We all do it. Don't even act like you don't.
And we have to be vigilant about keeping it down, cutting it out, just like that bothersome Yucca plant that will shoot up again if we did not get all of it out of our ground. The book of Hebrews in chapter 12, verse 15 tells us we have to keep at it (Hebrews 12:15) where it says " See to it no one comes short of the Grace of God; that NO ROOT of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled;".
I have a list of people that I need to forgive. It is not in my plans to set myself up for them ever again, but Jesus said I have to forgive them. Every single one of them. That does mean being civil to them and keeping my comments and thoughts in check with regards to them. Some of them I may have to come to a point where I can socialize with them again without getting too cozy. Not going to lie, I am not looking forward to it. Because they may never be aware that I have forgiven them, they will probably never change. Just because I forgive them does not guarantee a change in their behavior. Forgiveness does not require me to go to that person and tell them I forgive them. If I have wronged them I must ask forgiveness, but I do not need to, nor should I, make the first effort after forgiving them to become buddies again. I think that the Holy Spirit knows that to do so would actually be counterproductive. Separation may be the only way that person who hurt you ever knows that they did something wrong. It is not. I may find out differently as I progress along this path of discovery, but for now that's where it stands. Boundaries are useful things.
Bitterness can spread. It can cause many people to sin through gossip. If it is at all possible I have to learn to keep my mouth shut. I like to talk. Almost every photo ever taken of me has me with my mouth open and running about something or another. Keeping quiet is just not my thing. Hard lesson to learn! Unless it is a serious problem that could hurt others, I need to keep my mouth shut. I don't believe people should keep quiet about wife/child-beaters or child molesters or adulterers and I do not think God wants us to. If those kinds of sins are put to Light the sinner might repent and be healed of their problem. People get seriously hurt from those kind of sins. But that's a whole other blog...y'all do not want to get me started on rapists and adulterers...and I group them together for a reason. More on that later.
I do not see many Christians practicing Forgiveness even though they will praise Jesus' name on Sunday morning. I cannot let His name fall from my lips if I am not willing to make an attempt to let Him have my hurts and to Forgive all.
Are you a Christian?
Do you practice Forgiveness?
Are you holding onto grudges?
Why?
Jesus is the Master of Forgiveness..... and He can and will cut that awful Yucca plant out and plant a beautiful garden in your heart if you let Him.
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