An inside look at bitterness

There is a 'visible' ghost that haunts the churches. It stops, rises and infects simple hearts and souls susceptible to envy and jealousy like a plague. It settles down and rules, overthrows blessed servants, and moves even well-standing pulpits. It is a big wave, like a tsunami that aims to destroy all the beauty of the body of Christ. We need strong retaining walls to stop it. She is unpresentable and cold, divisive and sick because, generally, she wears outfits the color of revenge. It is your favorite color. God says that she is so pitiable, and thinks she is so self-sufficient, that she rejects even His grace. No I have the pleasure of introducing you to bitterness.

Bitterness is a sin that masquerades as hypocrisy. No one is born bitter. It will always be difficult for a brother or sister to admit that bitterness has taken root in their life. There will generally be justifications and even arguments of apparent discernment, because this bitterness is so cunning that it even believes itself to be wise, adviser, repairer of other souls except itself. Those who suffer from this blazing fire deviate from God's purposes, judge others relentlessly, believe that everyone is against their criteria and decisions, and do not sleep with the placidity and security that the joy of forgiveness offers. The apostle Paul exhorted the Ephesians: “Let all bitterness, anger, anger, yelling and slander, and all malice be removed from you. (Ephesians 4:31)

One of the serious problems with bitterness is that no one is cooperative enough to convince you of your bitterness. Rather, they help you stoke the fire of self-pity and revenge. Am I talking about God's people? What a shame to have to admit it, because yes, these things happen and spoil the work and consecration of many! The person with bitterness usually feels like a victim, deserving of all kinds of apology, becomes depressed and deceives himself. "I am not to blame, but the other," says bitterness. And so other sins no less detestable among brothers of the faith are added: resentments, anger, holding a grudge, backbiting, desires for reprisal, defamation, smear and blasphemy. The list would be endless.

Margarita had a good voice and artistic gifts in general. He met the Lord and quickly became involved in his congregation's worship group where he became its leader. His spiritual life seemed very healthy. His growth was dizzying and his vocation was greater. Then came the test. From singing so loudly in rehearsals and on Sundays, her vocal cords swelled to such an extent that the speech therapist indicated, along with the medications, 2 months of absolute vocal rest. But Margarita believed that she was essential and no one in the body of Christ is so, no matter how virtuous or gifted he is. In the absence of Magy, a member of her group proposed to Lucia to replace her in praise until she recovered. Lucia not only had the face of an angel, but her voice seemed to come from heaven. She had been sitting in the church pews wanting to serve and sing, but in her humility, she said she did not have the gifts of the sick sister. Very soon Lucia won the hearts of the congregation, not only because of her heavenly voice, but because of the way in which the Holy Spirit guided her in ministering to God's people. And jealousy came to Margarita and envious rage ate her brains.

She did not wait for the indicated rest of her vocal cords and climbed on the platform to continue singing, returning Lucia to the bench of sadness and also taking care of putting together some gossip about Lucia's personal life, so that she would never be embarrassed again. allowed to sing. End of story: Margarita lost her voice forever and Lucia, who forgave her sister without resentment or noise, today leads a choral ministry very blessed by God. This is a light example of what the root of bitterness can cause and, on the other hand, of the everlasting grace of God.

And then what is the remedy to begin to extract the roots of bitterness? After Paul warns us of what not to do (Ephesians 4:31), a verse later, the good Shepherd whispered sweetly in his ear what he should write to us to overcome and unearth our roots of bitterness: “Be rather kind to one another. others are merciful, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave them in Christ ”(Ephesians 4:32).

Yes, I agree with you who are reading. It is not that easy. They are the tests that God puts on us and if they are tests, they are to test us. Few Christians have not plowed in the garden where their roots of bitterness are hidden, only that we have been clever to throw even more soil into it, trying to hide it from God's patience. What a great Father of mercy we have who can put up with so much nonsense!

The good news is that God knows us and loves us in such a way that He expects us to admit, first of all, that the root of bitterness is a sin, silent at times, but always serious; a grievance against God himself; and that in addition, confessing it will bring us peace and liberation, and above all else, it will give us the enormous privilege of forgiving if we have been offended. Come on, don't wait any longer and go hug your brother (a)!

God bless you!