LIFE SCRIPTS

Bitterness can be defined as a feeling of anger or disappointment because of unfairness or injustice. In this day and age, do we have a shortage of injustice and unfairness ? Certainly not. We see it all around us with the extreme poor dwelling next to the filthy rich; we see it on numerous occasions when the corrupt seem to flourish while the straightforward seem to remain poor: we see it when Justice is sold to the highest bidder in the courts of law. Injustice and unfairness breeds bitterness. Even at home unfairness between siblings, spouses etc breeds bitterness. The writer of the book of Hebrews in this passage however warns us not to allow ‘ roots of bitterness’ to grow causing trouble and defiling many. Since bitterness is fed by the injustice and unfairness we see around us or inflicted on ourselves, it takes root in our hearts. If it’s constantly fed by an unending supply of negativity, it grows and radiates from within us. It produces pent up anger that repulses even the ones we love. It produces a cynical attitude that is critical against what is good. An attitude of gratitude is substituted with an attitude of anger, cynicism and negativity. As bitterness takes root in our hearts, it is bound to ’cause trouble and defile many’. The Spirit of God however urges us to ‘guard our hearts for out of it proceed the issues of life’. We must be ready to resist bitterness when it strikes. Some of it’s triggers could be everyday activities which we seldom think of. It could be a comment on social media, a news feature or even an encounter at work or at home. Our anger and unforgiveness towards others will unconsciously trigger the same feeling towards those around us. I have seen it in my life. However, Christ advises us well in the gospels…for out of the fullness of the heart, the mouth speaks. The Apostle Paul also tells us in the book of Philippians 4 to focus on.. whatever is true, noble, just, of good report and lovely. Even in the midst of the most frustrating situations, God has placed a ray of hope. There is some good present even in the darkest of situations. Scripture advises us not to ignore the bad but to acknowledge ‘whatever is good’ in order for us to be agents of transformation. If not, then we allow bitterness to take root and govern us. If we see a nasty comment on social media, do we see the other person in God’s image? Do we see any good coming out of him or her? If so, we can respectfully admonish them and offer a solution instead of being abusive. When our spouses seem inconsiderate and callous, we can take time off from an argument then raise the issue with them when we’re cool and reasonable. That way, we’ll not allow bitterness to take root in our hearts.

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