Bitterness has a tenacious way
of taking root deep within the soul (1)
The root of a stalk of corn can grow up 6-7 feet deep if it finds a worm hole to run down deep into the earth. This is one reason corn grows so fast and can withstand a mild drought.
If a root of bitterness finds a worm hole to run down deep into your heart, your whole life will become entangled in its disease.
The root of bitterness yields a harvest of weeds and thistles.
A lush lawn of green grass, watered and fed well, will crowd out weeds and prevent them from taking root. Yet during droughts and extended heat waves, the green grass fades to brown. As the grass fades, weeds begin to find their strength and will take firm root and repopulate.
Days of comfort and prosperity tempt us to ignore seeds of bitterness which might take root in our lives. We carelessly let anger and bitterness take root, rarely noticing their presence while we luxuriate in health and happiness when life is prosperous. We grow confidant that these mustard seeds of bitterness are incapable of consuming our lives.
In every life, we have seasons of prosperity and difficulty. When the season of difficulty comes we begin to see the effects of our lawn care during the season of prosperity. If we had been careful not to let bitterness take root during spring, then we will not be afflicted with a harvest of weeds and thistles during summer’s heat.
When Jesus teaches us about forgiveness, he is relentless.
If you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive you. (2)
How many times do I need to forgive them? Seventy-seven times! (3)
If you do not forgive others, your Father in heaven who has forgiven your debts, will cast you into jail until you pay your debt in full. (4)
If your brother sins against you 7 times in a day and turns to you for forgiveness each time, you must forgive him all 7 times. (5)
Jesus taught us to forgive, not only for us to model the grace we received from God, but to protect us from sowing seeds of bitterness in our hearts.
The best way to prevent bitterness from taking root in your life, it to forgive freely, graciously, and generously.
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Blackaby, Richard (2006-12-01). Experiencing God Day By Day (Kindle Locations 3348-3349). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
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Matthew 6:15
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Matthew 18:21
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Matthew 18:35
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Luke 17:4
Bread Crumbs - Devotions for Life 