A Choking Vine – letting go of anger and bitterness

 "All bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander must be removed from you, along with all malice. And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ."

 ~ Ephesians 4:31-32 (HCSB)

 

Bitterness is like a choking vine that can climb around every branch in your life – if you let it. It all begins with hurt, which digs roots of anger in your heart. It creeps into your thought life and suffocates your ability to trust others and even God. Forgiveness? Out of the picture! Being angry is easier and gives you resolve that you are justified not to forgive.

What good does this bring? Anger just robs you of joy. There are so many people in counseling because they have unresolved anger and bitterness. Then they are prescribed medicine to cope with the rage that's in their heart. All this does, is mask the reality of the root issue – the need to let go of anger and bitterness to be able to forgive and restore joy back into their life.

 

Your purpose in life is not to be driven by the sin of anger. Look at Jesus's greatest example of setting aside anger for a forgiving heart. Jesus's death on the cross was the only way to redeem the world's sin, but it was anger in the hearts of the Jewish people that physically but Him there. How ironic! In obedience, Jesus died so spiritually they would have forgiveness, not only for their anger but, for all their sin. Talk about the ultimate act of kindness, compassion, and forgiveness! His sacrificial death and resurrection also forgives all your sin. Every time we give into anger and not forgiveness we take in vain the undeserving death of Jesus Christ.

 

When you are angry, what do you do? Do you take it out on the people who hurt you with revenge? Or maybe you bottle it up so tight that it eventually explodes into shouting and slander. Proverbs 17:27 says, "The intelligent person restrains his words, and one who keeps a cool head is a man of understanding." Have you ever thought about how your anger has brought about bitterness in your life? Is it choking out your kindness and compassion for others? How much longer can you hold on to this before you push everyone away?

 

We are called to be like Christ, therefore; humble yourself before Him and ask for His forgiveness. Ask God for wisdom in how to deal with your anger. He will heal your heart to help you forgive and bring you joy again. Take time this week to read scriptures on anger. Pick a verse that relates and commit it to memory. God will uses His word to soften your heart in order to let go.

 

"My dearly loved brothers, understand this: Everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for man’s anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness. Therefore, ridding yourselves of all moral filth and evil, humbly receive the implanted word, which is able to save you."

~ James 1:19-21

 

"God, please forgive me for the anger in my heart. I want to be free of the bitterness it has become. I let go of my anger to you. Please give me a forgiving heart just as Jesus forgives me."

  © Carol Outhous Jones 2014