"When you squeeze an orange, orange juice comes
out - because that's what's inside. When you are
squeezed, what comes out is what is inside."
— Wayne Dyer
Sooooo......Have you ever felt that you have truly forgiven someone of a hurt that they have caused you? Then one day, Bam! Out of the blue, something happens and that old wound is opened up and you begin to feel the pain all over again? Old emotions start rising up within you and before you know it, you are reliving the hurt and agony of the situation all over again? All of a sudden you discover that there is a root of bitterness still lurking within you. You are shocked to discover that it is there and you ask yourself, Where did that come from? This cannot be! For bitterness to live within, one cannot move forward.
Once again you find yourself playing the game of Spiritual Wac-A-Mole! That ugly thing called bitterness has risen it's ugly head and you must get the Spiritual hammer and beat it back down. It must be destroyed before it destroys you. Bitterness and the very root of it MUST die lest it choke the very life out of you.
We have sung the following song as a child:
O be careful little eyes what you see
O be careful little ears what you hear
O be careful little hands what you do
O be careful little feet where you go
O be careful little mouth what you say
I would like to add:
O be careful little mind what you think
O be careful little heart what you feel
O be careful little heart what you feel
There's a Father up above
And He's looking down in love
O be careful little heart what you feel
It is said that each of us has an inner sense of what is right, or fair, or just. When that is violated a natural result is to react, to right the wrongs and correct the injustices or to become bitter. When one becomes offended or disappointed by others and allows the hurt to germinate in the heart, bitterness and resentment will take root. This is characterized by an unforgiving spirit and generally results in a negative critical attitude which is sinful and self-defeating. Such bitterness when allowed to fester, will destroy and kill.
We must recognize and identify the bitterness when we see it in our lives. We must confess and repent. Then we need to renew our mind. Forgive and depend on the Spirit of God for strength and depend on his love towards us.
"Behold, for peace I had great bitterness: but thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption: for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back." Isaiah 38:17
Dear God, Cleanse me thoroughly. Remove every inch of bitterness. Leave not even one spec of a root that can cause bitterness to rise its ugly head again. I want nothing but the fruit of your spirit to manifest in my life.
"Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me." Psalm 51:10
When the pressure is on and I feel the squeeze, what comes out can not be bitterness but it must be the fruit of your spirit only.
2 comments:
Great post, Jolene. It's so important to guard our hearts against bitterness, because it not only affects us but those around us as well. Psalm 51:10 is a great verse, and I try to remember to pray it often. Thanks for what you shared here.
Love in Christ,
Sis. Connell
Beautiful Jolene. I've seen so many that have allowed bitterness into their hearts, and it destroys. Perhaps your post will speak to some heart and turn their view before it is too late. God Bless.
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