SEEDS OF BITTERNESS

It is so difficult now, with so much information stirring the irritation pot, to keep quiet or to even think for oneself. To stay calm and true to yourself and loved ones. It is also hard not to throw yourself out there speaking up, and giving back, telling what is on your heart. Being "real". People think that that is what is needed and that being "real", speaking anything and everything that comes to mind on a particular subject. But on the contrary, we need to pick and choose the words we express. We need to be picky on the information we give and to whom. We need to be mindful and sort through the useless vs the useful information we are watching and reading.

If we are not careful, we will see pride, envy, and jealousy step out into the spotlight in disguise as truth, heart, and passion. These three, run side by side, waiting for the very moment to come out and shine. These three suffocate the light inside us, and they damage those that are connected to us. They will tear someone down in their success, stall someone from following their heart, and fight with no mercy or empathy. We think we are sticking up for ourselves and defending those with love, but it is deceitful to think this way. where do these three originate from? Offense, insecurity, lack, it all stems from yourself. Things you want but do not have. A comparison of yourself to others. These things are evil in the sight of God.

We do not have the audacity to put ourselves in the same class or compare ourselves with some who [supply testimonials to] commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they lack wisdom and behave like fools. -2 Corinthians 10:12

Are you looking to others success and raising them up? Cheering them on? Genuinely happy and grateful for them? Are you someone that offers congratulations, love, and cheer for those that are succeeding where you want to succeed? Are you in awe and determination to get what you want when you see someone else has it? Are you blessing someone who has already all the blessing? If so, that is great! Let me ask you this then, are you empathetic to those that are getting what they "deserve"? How are you "reacting" to the one that has wronged you? When you know something, or someone has hurt them? Are you empathizing? OR are you rejoicing? We should be responding not reacting, and you should be forgiving and empathizing.

“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.” - Ephesians 4:31

This is another side of the same coin. When we have gone through oppression and pain, and it has taken a while to go through it, we sometimes have seeds of bitterness planted in our heart. We are more susceptible to this bitterness if the suffering we have endured seems undeserving. We often times blame the persons we have suffered under, or from. Then when we see or hear that they have undergone a suffering we sprout a prideful reaction. We find comfort in their pain. This is very dangerous and damaging to our soul. It secretly feeds the bitterness and resentment, birthing jealousy, envy, and pride. The mind is trying to protect you from the pain and suffering, but in all truth, it should only be an alarm to show you that you need to face the pain you have endured. It will also guide you to what your true self wants, desires, and is purposed for!

So instead of focusing outward toward the cause and source of your pain, you should be focusing inward at what the pain is trying to teach you and change in you. Be careful rejoicing at others suffering, this will only negate the blessing you have, or will have. Think about the word bitter for a moment. Sharp, pungent, not sweet. In food, when bitterness comes, it contaminates anything around it turning it sour. The sweetness has to outnumber the bitterness. To do this you need to negate or balance the bitter. How? Be sweet!

“See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;” - Hebrews 12:15

It is like when we were kids, when one child listened and received a reward but one did not and received punishment. Usually, the reaction was laughing and mocking of the child that received the punishment. But the way I was taught, my mom would take away my reward, and then I would also receive the punishment. It is the same in our lives now. We have to be aware of our reactions, catch them quickly, and apologize for them. We need to quickly recognize seeds of bitterness in our lives so that we will not continue to hurt others, as well as hurting ourselves. Bitterness can hide itself well. Like chocolate for example. It can be sweet or bitter. We have to decide and adjust ourselves accordingly.

"Repay no one evil for evil but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. " - Romans 12:17

Recognizing that you have envy, jealousy, bitterness, pride is a first step. Turn to God and confess these truths to him. Pour out your heart to him and he will cleanse you and refresh you, forgive them, and let it go, and he will reward you in justice, mercy and blessings. This then will position your heart to bless your offenders and allow God to serve them what is just. Acts 3 19 tells us that when we repent and turn to God, our sins will be wiped out, and times of refreshing will come from the lord. The bitterness is wiped away and the love of the Spirit comes and refreshes you.

"Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive." - Colossians 3:12-13

Be healed and Be healthy.

You are loved.

Em