Scripture Reading:Hebrews 12:15
Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

Reflection: Have you thought of bitterness as a source of troubles in your life? The Apostle Paul confirms that not only does bitterness serve as a breeding ground for troubles in one’s life but also defiles one’s spiritual purity. Been bitter has to do with emotional hurt characterized by an unforgiving spirit. When you are offended or disappointed by others and you allow it to hurt you more and more, you give room for bitterness to take root in your life. In that state you are filled with anger and hatred. You maintain an antagonistic or hostile attitude towards those who offended you. Your emotions are heavily affected. Dr. Stephen Diamond, rightly defines bitterness ‘as a chronic and pervasive state of smoldering resentment,” and ‘one of the most destructive and toxic of human emotions’. The only way out to guard your heart against bitterness is to maintain a forgiving heart and attitude. Ephesians 4:31-32 sums it up all- ‘ Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you’. Indeed, you must be too smart for bitterness to gain roots in you!