Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.
Hebrews 12:15 NLT
A root of bitterness left unattended is shown from Deut 29:18 as having the potential to turn hearts away from God. In our pain and bitterness, we can understand how this would work. The questioning of why God, who could have, should have, done something did not prevent this from happening. Or the self-condemnation of why did I let this happen, as if I can control another’s choices.
The reality is simply this: in pain, we can’t see clearly; perceptions are clouded, and judgments are skewed. We’ve all experienced devastating losses in life. From the death of a loved one, to suffering through broken relationships. Live long enough, and you face many opportunities to deal with loss and disappointment. These things are common to man.
Life’s question isn’t about what we’ve lost or why, but how to move forward without adapting to the bitterness of soul that works to hold one in tormenting bondage.
Scripture is filled with multiple examples of loss which we see from the following….
From the book of Ruth, we see Naomi become Mara in her bitterness..
Childless Hannah in 1 Sam 1:10
David, at Ziklag, 1 Samuel 30
Jobs devastation with too many references to list.
Bitterness was expressed over captivity by the people and through the prophets.
The disciples over Jesus’ crucifixion. While we don’t see the word bitterness, the emotions displayed show us resentment, frustration, and their struggle with faith.
All these, and more, give us understanding and help to deal with and overcome bitterness. While this is common to man, we see the redemption of God in each of their stories and are assured there is hope for tomorrow.
From the Topical Encyclopedia we read
“Bitterness of soul is a profound emotional state characterized by deep sorrow, anguish, and resentment. This condition is frequently depicted in the Bible as a response to severe trials, injustices, or unfulfilled desires. It is often associated with a sense of hopelessness and a feeling of being overwhelmed by life's circumstances.”
The Apostle Paul, addressing bitterness, shows us common manifestations associated with this wound when he writes ~
Ephesians 4: 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.”
The fruit reveals the heart. The awareness that these are manifesting alerts us to our heart condition. Moving past the pain, to regain our strength and forward momentum, begins with acknowledgement. Ownership that bitterness lies within and that we need help is the beginning of healing.
It’s the same process for all. We meet loss and we move through the emotional upheaval it brings but always choosing to bring everything into captivity to the word of God. Whatever the loss, however it came, love covers a multitude of sin and holds no record of suffered wrong. We forgive by choice, not feeling. We forgive not only others but ourselves. Always mindful that we cannot control others' choices or actions, only ours, and we must choose life, to truly be free.
This always brings us back to our foundation in God. As we trust Him, we are restored and healed, engaging once again in Christian community, giving and receiving life with the others.
The comfort we receive from Him, Paul wrote, we then become able to comfort others in their affliction. 2 Corinthians 1: 3-4
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
Weeping may endure for a night but the promise of joy holds hope for our morning.