Bitterness

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Ephesians 4:31

Benedict Arnold should have gone down as one of America's greatest heroes.He was a great warrior for the American Revolution. He defeated the British at the Battle of Saratoga. But he was also wounded and left crippled in one leg. He was passed over for promotion due to politics. General George Washington encouraged Arnold to be patient. Washington greatly valued Arnold and spoke on his behalf. The battlefield promotion Arnold wanted finally arrived. But by that time Arnold was planning to betray America. It was said of Arnold that he tended his grudges like some would tend a garden. Benedict Arnold was overcome by bitterness and gave in to impatience and greed. A man who could have been one of American history's great heroes, instead became America's Judas due to bitterness.

The lesson for us is clear. If we nurse grudges, look upon our illnesses and afflictions as uncommon and unfair, seeing setbacks as a vendetta God must have against us, we too will go down in infamy rather than victory. Our good name could become yet another abject lesson in how bitterness can destroy and rob people of their better selves leaving only their bitter selves.

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; Hebrews 12:15 KJV

The danger of bitterness cannot be overemphasized. Like a seed it grows into weeds that take over and chokes the garden of our lives making us unfruitful. In the Bible we see it leading to the failure of Judas. He was the trusted treasurer of Jesus’ ministry. Instead of learning from the greatest Teacher who ever lived, he became bitter, and like Arnold would do centuries later, allowed his anger and greed to grow into a garden of bitterness and disappointment (John 12:3-8).

Disappointment comes to us all. No one gets through life unscathed. What we do with disappointment marks us as victors or victims.

From small, aggravating situations to huge disappointing events, we will be tempted by bitterness. Our choice and reaction will determine whether or not we fail the tests and temptations in our lives. How will you react to your next opportunity to become bitter?

Dear Lord, when bitterness rears its ugly head in our lives, help us to quickly pull it out like the dangerous weed it is. Instead give us grace to deal with disappointment as Your children and represent You well on this earth. Amen.