The Garden of Bitterness

"The heart knoweth his own bitterness."  Proverbs 14:10


"The roots of a weed can choke out the most beautiful garden... the Bible warns Christians of another root that can destroy in a far greater way — the root of bitterness. In Hebrews 12:15b, the writer says, "Lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled." As believers, we must forgive those who hurt or offend us. When we refuse to forgive, bitterness grows, intertwines itself around our Christian witness, and chokes out our joy in Christ. Our lives become sour, and we see the world through critical eyes and speak with skeptical and sarcastic remarks. Not only is the Holy Spirit grieved, but also those we touch are affected by the ugliness of bitterness."


This exerpt is from a blog I read daily, and it came at the best time! No one is exempt from bitterness. I am prone to bury anger or hurt allowing it to fester, bringing me down... Areas of temptation for me are when people I love and trust don't come through when they say they will. Every now and then people let you down and have to cancel commitments >> it happens :) I do it too! But when it's 99.9% of the time, it wears me down. I hold my tongue; I try to be understanding, slow to anger and quick to forgive. As a result it compounds and I feel that weed beginning to root in the soil of my soul. The solution > Christ! Prayer! In humility confessing my sin to my husband who will faithfully pray with me :o) We have to fight against bitterness. Don't give in to it. 


The blog ended with this thought...


"Has bitterness taken hold in your life? Perhaps you have a family member or friend who has hurt you deeply and you've refused to forgive him. Be careful that the anger you're holding onto doesn't lead to bitterness. Why not let God uproot the pain and renew your bitter heart with a flowering heart of forgiveness and love? "And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you" (Ephesians 4:30-32)."






if you want to read the entire blog on bitterness, click the link below :)
http://www.aophomeschooling.com/blog/daily-focus/bitter-roots/?utm_source=dailyfocus20120412&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=enews&utm_content=s.darnell1203@gmail.com