Devotional

First there is hurt, then anger, which turns into resentment. Resentment unchecked festers and descends into a root of bitterness. It has been rightfully said, "Bitterness is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die." The sad fact is that anything after hurt is chosen. It is a refusal to check our emotions and trust the Lord to grace us with the ability to forgive. Bitterness poisons every realm of our existence. It will poison our thinking, reasoning, praying, understanding, ability to love and anything that is pure. Unfortunately like most roots, a root of bitterness is underground and is easy to hide. It is hid under the dirt of deceit. It is buried in the mire of a perversion of holiness, justice and judgment. It is always more harmful than the infraction that began with a hurt. There is nothing that anyone else can do to uproot it. It can only be uprooted by the grace of God through the repentance of the one in whom it is imbedded. Therefore, "Look... carefully... lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled."

Title

The Poisonous Root of Bitterness

Scripture

Devotional