WEDNESDAY: FREEDOM FROM ANGER & BITTERNESS

KEY PASSAGE

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:31-32

DEVOTIONAL

There is a park with tree covered walking trails in our local area that includes various ecosystems of the Eastern Shore of Maryland.  In 2019, there was a big problem that needed to be addressed.  Many of the trees and natural habitat had been overtaken and killed by an invasive plant called wisteria.  It required a plan to cut and remove the wisteria vines so that the vines did not continue to destroy this beautiful park.

This invasive vine reminds me of how destructive bitterness can be in our lives.  I’ve heard it said, “harboring bitterness is like drinking poison and hoping the other person dies. The more I feed bitterness in my heart, the more it brings death to me.”

In Ephesians 4, Paul is addressing the church of Ephesus and teaching them that with Jesus comes a new way of living:  “put off your old self….and put on the new self” (vs.22-24).  And one of the areas he is encouraging them to address is the area of bitterness.  He says to get rid of it!  

Bitterness is not something we are born with, but as we live life with people and experience hurt or are wronged, anger or even rage will come and if we are not careful, bitterness will take root in our lives.  And if we feed the bitterness as we recite the wrong, it will grow just like the wisteria vines and damage and kill many other areas of our lives.

So, Paul tells us to get rid of it, but how do we do that?  He gives us direction in Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as Christ Jesus forgave you.”  He tells us to forgive the person in light of the forgiveness we have received from Christ.  

CHALLENGE

Forgiveness is not about letting someone else go free;  it’s about us finding freedom from carrying only what God can handle.

So today, I challenge you to:

1. Name the root of the hurt (any wrong-doing by someone else or yourself that has taken root in your heart).

2.  Invite God into your hurt.

3.  Repent and Release the hurt to God in prayer (forgive the person who has wronged you).

4.  Seek Support from a brother or sister in Christ that can help you move forward.