Bitterness Day 2

Hebrews 12:15 See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled;


Bitterness in the flesh.


A root of bitterness. I think this says a lot about how bitterness is not an immediate reaction to a situation or experience. But it grows and requires nourishment in order to bear it's fruit. That's right, it is something that is living and needs to be fed.

This list is by no means complete. Each one of us has things in our lives that we feed our bitterness with. Take a look today at yourself and your life, it is time to do a little weeding.


*Do you have someone close to you that uses unkind words and insults you? Do you keep all of the pain to yourself? Do you avoid putting up verbal boundaries in order to avoid confrontation? This is feeding bitterness

*Did you grow up in a family of dysfunction? Out of respect to your parents you haven't confronted the pain they may have caused? Do you find road blocks up at every turn because no one taught you differently? Do you get angry when you find yourself acting like one of your parents? This is feeding bitterness


*Do you have a good friend that has a wonderful marriage? Do you spend time with them and envy the love you see between them? Do you go home and wonder why your husband or wife doesn't act like that? Do they walk in the door and you wonder why you didn't marry "so and so"? This is feeding bitterness

*When you go to work, does everyone make more money then you do? Does the person that started working at the company 6 months after you do make more money? Does the receptionist have a better view? Why does the VP get a new car when you have to pay more for your medical insurance? This is feeding bitterness


*Let's give a little credit to the Jones'. Yep, do you get mad when you see their new car? the big screen? the new boat and rv? kids in the latest jeans and tennis shoes and don't forget the cell phones and laptops. What the heck, how do they have all of that, why don't I have all of that? This is feeding bitterness

*Church/Religion. It took me only a second to decide if I should add this. You see, our need to organize and have rules and have structure as a society has caused more bitterness in the church then anything else. We forget that the unhealthiest of us all need a place to work out there sins. Why can't church help me when I sin? Why do I feel judged when the clothes I can barely afford are never good enough? Why do I feel like I am always interrupting with my questions, am I suppose to already know all of this? Why do I feel like a blemish when I struggle with my addiction of smoking? I need someone to hold me accountable but I don't know that anyone else here has ever struggled with anything? I tried that church thing and it never changed me, I was never good enough for that place. Can you believe they asked for money again, I don't even agree with how they spend my money.? Anger, jealousy, hurt, envy, disappointment are all feeding bitterness


Tomorrow we will look at some healthy ways to deal with these situations and any others you may feel the need to share.

Heavenly Father, I am in need of some personal reflection today, Lord. I know that I have a root of bitterness in me. Reveal to me today Lord the ways in which I continue to feed the weed that grows in the ground I pray is kept fertile for only more of you Lord. Lord show me today situations in which I need to acknowledge I don't deal with my emotions, show me how I bury things down deep to only strengthen my bitterness. In your name...



Please continue to pray for Verla K this week.