A Devotional For The Bitter

Bitterness is a ticking time bomb and we hold the detonator. Like a dangerous game of hot potato with hand grenades. A blade that goes in easy but tears on the way out. Self inflicted wounds that we keep on reopening. Sadisticly digging deeper and deeper, extracting pleasure and pain. Why? because it feels like a betrayal to heal and to forgive. Where Jesus showed compassion to the dying thief, we with glee, would rather break his legs. Where Jesus was obedient and said "Father forgive them, they know not what they do". We blame present disobedience on past injustices. Jesus didn't desire any to perish, but we are all to willing to be the executioner . Listen my friend, bitterness and unforgiveness is not caused by past hurts or injustices. They are simply toxic responses to a list of offenses. A Stockholm syndrome of the mind. Willingly held captive by the past. Embracing thorns instead of pulling them out. A poison we call the remedy that spreads like venom. A retreat that we call an advance. A defense that we call an offense. A wound we inflict on ourselves and others. A hemorrhage we keep on tap. Intoxicated by the taste. Forgiveness in reverse. The antonym of joy. The self antongonist, masquerading as the hero. Seduced by self preservation at all cost. A ghost king of a fallen kingdom.

Its name is legion because its quarrels are many.

How many of us would dare admit that we are bitter? That the enemy we sleep with is ourselves? We call ourselves victims but instead we're vindictive. We lift our heads to vindicate with raised clinched fist we repudiate. Truly bitterness and unforgivess is like juggling hand grenades. Jesus said to love your enemies but we would rather slay them. Jesus said to show mercy, but we would rather sacrifice.

Unforgiveness is a forked tongue that whispers pain is pleasure and pride is joy. The ultimate doublespeak. Like a hedonistic war cry that we would rather dine in hell than be restored to paradise. Like holding fire close expecting not to get burned. Like self possessed wraiths extenquishing the light because hope seems weak and mercy an act of treason.

Why should we show compassion? Because we all have been the villain. Why show mercy? Because we all have bloody hands. Why should we forgive? Because if we don't forgive, neither will our Father in heaven forgive us.

My friend, don't forfeit your blessings for the root of bitterness. Don't wither on the vine for a battle that you've already lost. Annoint thine eyes with salve, your wounds with the balm of Gilead. Turn from your bitterness, repent of your unforgiveness. The Father wills it, the Son died for it, the Spirit enables it. So stop playing hot potato with hand grenades. You'd be alot happier if you did and ultimately your soul depends on it.

Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. ~Luke 6:36

Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. ~Matthew 5:7

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Ephesians ~4:32 KJV

For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. ~Matthew 6:14‭-‬15