Believers are instructed to lay aside every weight and sin (offenses) that would so easily beset us. In life, there is no way to avoid being hurt, offended or wounded by others, but we can not allow ourselves to carry these things in our heart and in our thoughts. If we do, the result, most likely, is bitterness that takes root in us. This bitter root bears bitter fruit. It may bear the fruit jealousy, anger, immorality, dissension; but it will eventually choke out the true purpose of a believer. A plant grows slowly, but what is in the root will definetley surface in time. Bitterness may spring up in the heart of someone, but if it is allowed to develop, it can have wide-ranging effects. It may surface in emotional ways and even physical disease, but it will make it’s mark.
In my quest of searching my heart for any root of bitterness that needed to be removed, I brought it to the Lord, knowing His Word tells us in Jeremiah 17:9, that only God knows the heart and He searches it. Even as a plant does not die unless the root be dug out, I sought for the spiritual weed killer that would go beyond the surface and kill my bitterness at the root. There is one thing that will remove it and that my friend, is LOVE; to show love to that one who hurt you. How do you find that love? At the Cross! When I went to the Cross and I got a glimpse of Jesus nailed to it by MY sin, MY shame, MY failures, MY imperfections and willing to go through all that pain for me, it was there I found the grace to forgive and love because He forgave and loved me!
Oh, sisters, you must let go and lay aside every weight, dig out any root of bitterness, get passed the past, and quit allowing these things to keep you from what you were intended to be. It’s time to clear out those negative memories and start fresh! Let nothing disqualify you from your purpose! If there is something you are holding on to today, something that you know you need to let go of to make room for what God is trying to do in your life, then let it go! This is your new season!
