Choose Grace, Not Bitterness

In Hebrews 12:15 I read, “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." (NIV)

If I’m still holding on to resentment, then I’m allowing someone to control me.

At times I’ve said, “You make me so mad”? That’s an admission that the other person is controlling me. The only way to get this person out of my mind and heart is to heal the hurt with God’s grace.

Hebrews 12:15 says, “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” (NIV).

Bitterness is contagious, and it can actually become generational. Someone needs to break the chain, and if bitterness has taken root, that someone can be me.

The only way to break it: is with grace.

If I don’t get God’s grace in my life, life will make me bitter. Why? Because there is sin in the world. I live on a broken planet. This is not heaven. Evil people get away with evil things all the time. Life is not fair.

Is forgiveness fair? Absolutely not.

Forgiveness is not about fairness. It’s not about getting even. It’s about grace.

I don’t forgive a person because it’s the fair thing to do. I forgive a person because it’s the right thing to do, and I don’t want my own heart full of poison. I don’t want to hold on to the hurt and the hate.

Forgiveness is free, but it is not cheap. It cost Jesus his life. It cost God his Son.

As Jesus was dying on the cross, with his arms outstretched, he said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34 NIV). It’s like he was saying, “I love you, I love you, I love you.” In effect, he said, “They don’t deserve it. They don’t even know what they’re doing. But, Father, forgive them anyway.”

Follow Jesus’ example and offer forgiveness today. Heal any of my bitterness with his grace.

In summary, 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. If I’m still holding on to resentment, then I’m allowing someone to control me. The only way to get this person out of my mind and heart is to heal the hurt with God’s grace. Bitterness is contagious. Someone needs to break the chain, and if bitterness has taken root, that someone can be me. The only way to break it: is with grace. If I don’t get God’s grace in my life, life will make me bitter. Evil people get away with evil things all the time. Life is not fair. Forgiveness is not about fairness. It’s not about getting even. It’s about grace. I don’t forgive a person because it’s the fair thing to do. I forgive a person because it’s the right thing to do, and I don’t want my own heart full of poison. I don’t want to hold on to the hurt and the hate. Forgiveness is free, but it is not cheap. It cost Jesus his life. As Jesus was dying on the cross, essentially he said they don’t deserve it. They don’t even know what they’re doing. But, Father, forgive them anyway.” I need to follow Jesus’ example and offer forgiveness today. Heal any of my bitterness with his grace.

Like a small root that grows into a great tree, bitterness springs up in my heart and overshadows even my deepest relationships. A "poisonous root of bitterness" comes when I allow disappointment to grow into resentment, or when I nurse grudges over past hurts. Bitterness brings with it jealousy, dissension and immortality. When the Holy Spirit fills me, however, he can heal the hurt that causes bitterness.

Father, thank you for Your Word and Jesus as my savior and example. You want me and I need you in my life. Please give me Your strength for today and remind me in little ways that I can always believe in, have faith in and can trust you in everything. This includes being the authority for my life, the source of my self-worth and my hope for the future. You have my best interests in mind. So I ask you to help me to embrace the way you’ve made me; my gifting and passions. Help me to serve and fulfill the mission you have in mind for me. 

Today, I ask you for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my leadership, my interactions with others, doing well and making a difference in others lives. I pray all these things through your Son Jesus’ name, Amen.