Devotionals
Battling Bitterness
by Dr. Brenda Robinson
Scripture Reading: Hebrews 12:15
Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.
Bitterness is something we all experience. Bitterness stems from feelings of failure, trials and tribulations, broken relationships or financial stress. Most often, bitterness is the result of shattered expectations. Thoughts of disappointment and failure lead to bitterness.
Bitterness defiles the heart and soul. Today's Scripture text says, "Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled." God’s Word also says about bitterness in Job 3:20, “Wherefore is light given to him that is in misery, and life unto the bitter soul?” Proverbs 14:10 says, “The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy.”
Bitterness usually takes root in our hearts as the result of hurt. Satan takes that hurt and manipulates it into thoughts and actions of bitterness. We begin to lash out at others, and we often even lash out at God. We find fault in everything and everyone around us. We blame others and harden our hearts toward them, especially if they’ve been successful in the area in which we’ve failed. Our minds soon become so full of bitterness that we can no longer see the truth. James 3:14 says, “But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.” We are faced with “confusion and every evil work (James 3:16).”
Don’t dwell in your bitterness. Instead of doubting God about your circumstances, seek Him and listen to His voice as to why things have not gone the way you planned. Win the battle against bitterness by praying, serving and shining for Jesus.
"Bitterness is the result of shattered expectations"
- 3 Comments
- Tags: bitterness, blame, hurt
- Posted by: Dr. Brenda Robinson
Comments
Brenda, I've been struggling with bitterness for a long time now. As you know, with what's been going on in my life, it's sometimes hard not to be bitter. But on the other hand, I'm not going to let that bitterness control me! I need to forgive them, and and just release them into the Lord's handAfter all, He's the only one that can change their hearts.
One of my favorite sermons that my dad preaches is on the topic of bitterness. Ephesians 4:31-32 says "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." Like you said, bitterness is something we will all experience at some point, but if we don't deal with it at it's root it will spring up into wrath (rage), anger, clamour (harsh words), evil speaking (slander), and malice (evil behavior). I've learned so much from you, but the one thing you've always taught me is that we must deal with our sins, hurts, and failures and not dwell in them. If we continue to dwell on those things, the enemy will keep bringing them up in times of weakness, and we will never be productive Christians. The only way to move on and forgive other like Christ has forgiven us is to deal with the root of the problem by studying God's Word and having a growing relationship with Him!
I do believe that you are directly to me again..I do have bitterness and anger and it has been in the way of my serving God. I say that it don't but it has and I have got to learn just deal and get over it. I really believe that I am getting better but I also know that I have a way to go with my issues. And I truly get mad and have dwelled in my bitterness at times and the devil does know when to knock the next blow.. I thank God that He loves me even when I act a fool and don't trust Him like I should in these times..I do know that I want to be the example to my family and not lash out at them like I do sometimes, but they are there and before I realize what I have done and said, its to late the words already out and so is my actions...Thanks Brenda for these posts.. love you..
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