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"So it is with offense. The longer offense is allowed to linger in the life of the offended the bigger the problem of bitterness can become. Just like the plant root, bitterness seems to find its way deep into every action of the offended. It grows larger than the offense that it was designed to support."
As quoted from the book "Victor - Breaking Free From a Victim-Based Society" by John H. Hovis Page 210.
What if I were to tell you that I knew of a movie that, if you watched it, it would do all of the following in your life.
- Open the door to darkness and evil
- Make it impossible for you to experience peace and joy
- Make relationship very challenging, even with those you love
- Make defeat in your life a real possbility
- Make it almost impossible to relate to this God that loves you
With all that in mind, would you watch that movie? I love watching movies of various kinds, but I think if I were made aware that a film that would do all these things in my life I would choose to avoid that movie like the plague. I'm willing to bet most of you would do the same.
There is a character trait that we flirt with at times that guarantees all of the points described above will be part of your life. That trait is bitterness.
So many of us allow bitterness to grow and thrive in our lives. It got there as a result of prolonged periods of time stuck in victim thinking. The challenging times that have come against us over a lifetime has made it possible to believe things about ourselves that make bitterness something that we seem to readily invite into our lives. When bitterness has taken hold, darkness, unease, defeat, broken relationships and so much more of the symptoms our Victim Based Society seems to promote these days, come rushing into our lives.
God hates bitterness. He hates what bitterness does to His children. It turns us into a grumpy and disgruntled people. Those affected with bitterness are some of the hardest people to be around. I hate to say this, but so many of our church pews are filled with people who have made church life something that is downright unappealing by the presence of bitterness in their lives.
Who in their right mind would want to be part of a relationship with God if the people that are suppose to be representing what a relationship with God looks like walk, around with scowls on their face due to the bitterness they entertain in life. Where is the fruit that comes with the Joy of the Lord in those people's life? God's plan isn't to attract those who want to relate to Him through the bad attitudes caused by bitterness in His Children's lives. He is looking for a world full of followers who find a relationship with Him worth everything this world might throw at them. Those are the people God calls victors.
God is pretty direct when it comes to living a life free of bitterness. Take a look at today's Bible reading with me now.
See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. Hebrews 12:15 (NIV)
Hebrews also says that bitterness defiles many. Bitterness is contagious. It can infect entire groups of people in ways that is sometimes hard to recognize. The bitter person can do and say things to others that hurt them in ways that make them bitter as well. From the outside looking in, the outbreak of bitterness is something the world wants to avoid making Church look like the last thing on earth anyone would want to be involved in.
What's the answer to this contagion that is so hard to control? I think the basis of our cure is found in the first line of today's reading. The author says, "See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God..." What a beautiful and powerful combination of words.
It is our job to make sure none of us are missing the fullness of God's Grace. Grace, when it comes to the cure for bitterness, comes as we forgive. You see, if bitterness happens as a result of someone doing something against you that caused offense, then God is the epitome of someone who has the right to be bitter.
We have rejected God at every turn. We have done things to bring hurt into our creator's life that we wouldn't do to our worst enemy. God has every right to be offended and therefore bitter against us. Yet He isn't. Why? Because He choose to forgive. He forgave you and me of all the offensive things we have done, are doing and will do in our lives. When we once again find ourselves in a place where we have messed up this life He gave, He forgives us all over again. There is no bitterness in God's relationship with us because He has so completely forgave us.
It is when we fail to forgive that we fall so short of the grace that abounds all around us. In that falling short, bitterness takes root and victim thinking begins to influence us in ways that make relationship with others and with God a virtual impossibility. I hate falling short of anything of worth in this world. Why would I ever allow myself to fall short of the grace God is giving through the power of forgiveness?
Is there a bitter root sprouting in your life? Maybe that root has grown deep into your soul after years of being there. Isn't it time to unleash the unlimited power of God in your life today? Forgive and watch what happens. You carry the image of a God that has banked His entire plan of salvation on the power of forgiveness. Step into the fullness of the victor God has called you to be and forgive so that bitterness can be destroyed in your life today.
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