See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble. (Heb. 12:15)
Memories from the past come up every time I see her. We used to be best friends. Then one day, everything fell apart. There’s nothing I can do about it. I really have tried. It’s easier just to be angry inside about it and pretend like everything is OK when it really isn’t. I’ll be polite, but inside, I’m tempted to feel bitter.
It’s so easy to become bitter. Words people say, the things they do, even the way they act can cause resentment to take root. We can easily become angry and hurt then hold on to that until we become so bitter we cannot see past it. This sets up a wall between us and Christ and inhibits his work in our heart and lives. It prevents us from being holy before the Lord.
Bitterness is something most Christians must learn to work through. Sometimes it is easy to become bitter without realizing that bitterness is present in our lives. However, this journey of faith is not something we must do alone. We have a broader family surrounding us as Christians to encourage, to help, to love, and to challenge each other. These verses are a charge to Christians to look out for one another and genuinely care about each other. Most importantly, we can make sure that roots of bitterness don’t take hold in our hearts.
Prayerfully examine your heart and remove any bitter root.
Augustine Gidney is a fourth year Kingswood University student with a focus on counseling and children’s ministry. She loves spending time doing arts and crafts.
© 2019 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission.
Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
