Have you ever found yourself angry with someone because of what they did to you in the past? Yet, you felt you forgave them either personally or in your heart long ago. You put the matter behind you, and that is where you thought you had left it. Unfortunately, for some reason, that old anger keeps creeping back again.
It is commendable for anyone to decide to forgive and forget. But when anger keeps raising its ugly head whenever that name or the offense comes to mind, it is evidence that the root of the problem remains. The truth is that the bitterness of the past is still rooted in your heart.
Jesus said in Matthew 15:18-19 “But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person.”
You may be confused, saying to yourself, “I have already forgiven them; why am I angry all over again?” Or maybe not, but that anger that seems to come from nowhere is from the root of bitterness still present in your heart. The Word of God instructs us not to sin when we become angry because if we continue to hold on to anger, it will turn to bitterness. It then grows roots deep within your heart, where it can remain for years, decades, or even a lifetime.
Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. Ephesians 4:26-27
Strive for peace with everyone and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled; Hebrews 12:14-15
If left unchecked, bitterness and resentment will fester in your heart over time. Bitterness can be like roots from a tree that grows deep in the Earth and are very difficult to remove. It could be like pulling weeds from hard soil; you may snap off the weeds and pull some roots from the ground. But most of the time, the roots are not completely removed. In that case, the remaining ones will only continue to grow and eventually pop up again, causing the same problems and, often, worse than before.
Are you struggling with anger? Have you gone to the Lord for help? Have you made a humble effort to forgive and forget? Through Jesus Christ and His forgiveness of your sins, He can help you forgive others, turning hate, anger, and bitterness into compassion, peace, love, and forgiveness. Also, many do not realize the Lord also says you must forgive others in order for the Father to forgive you.
Jesus said, “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” in Matthew 6:14-15
Turn to the Lord Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Humble yourself before the Lord and seek Him to help you with your anger and the root of bitterness in your heart.
Ephesians 4:31-32 tells us, “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
Proverbs 4:23-27 says, “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. Put away from you crooked speech and put devious talk far from you. Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil.
Pray that God may dig up and remove those roots of offense, anger, and bitterness that have been growing and festering for so long. God can do it, and He can purify you from all unrighteousness if you turn from your sins to obey His commands. Then, you can be free from all the pain and heartache it has caused in your life. One by one, God will heal the broken, damaged, and hurting parts of your heart, mind, and soul.
Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. James 1:19-22
Finally, James 3:13-18 tells us how we all should live and be wise in God’s eyes. He instructs all of us that it is a spiritual battle against evil. But you have to decide to let go and let God change your heart. It has been said that the one who holds onto anger and bitterness is like someone who drinks down a glass of poison day after day, expecting someone else to die. Indeed, the other person is not harmed by holding onto bitterness. Don’t be that person, but go to Jesus, forgive, heal, and make peace.
Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct, let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.
For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. James 3:13-18
The Soul Sower 
This hit me like an arrow. Thank You, Jesus. And thank you, Joel. ❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person