DAY 22 BITTERNESS - 30 DAY PRAYING FOR YOUR HUSBAND CHALLENGE

THE BITTER ROOT

Bitterness stems from unresolved issues, an unforgiving spirit or from holding on to unfavorable or even favorable past experiences. Overtime if given a chance it will grow because it is a root. The Hebrew writer describes bitterness as a dangerous root: 

Hebrews 12:15, See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. 

When weeds, thistles or other wild plants grow in your garden often times you can’t see their roots; they’re buried deep under the ground. But then their roots are manifested by their fruit and they are made evident. It’s simple, bitter roots bear bitter fruits. 

How does bitterness grow in your life?  You know that you are bitter when every conversation goes back to what was done or is going on wrong in your life.  Let’s ask Naomi as you recount her story in the book of Ruth. Yes, we will admit that she had reasons to be bitter, but it didn’t make things better. Notice the difference of only one letter- Bitter not Better.

Bitterness is like a stubborn thistle (it’s like a casha tree) you can’t deal with it at the top or above ground level because it will shoot right back up and grow probably bigger because it got some pruning.  It must be rooted up and destroyed. If not it will hold you bound, keep your hostage and haunt you. Some of this will include, past hurts, family issues, unresolved conflicts, painful reminders etc... Which must be dealt with today's prayer.

TODAY'S PRAYER - (Revive Your Heart by Nancy Leigh DeMoss)

Pray that your husband will practice forgiveness in your relationship and with others. Pray that he will recognize any roots of bitterness, and yield any resentment and unforgiving attitudes to the Lord. (Eph. 4:32; Heb. 12:15)

Stop being an accountant and holding on to offense. Life is unfair and people will hurt you talk about you, mistreat you…….. These things are realities and will induce and inflict pain perhaps even destruction. If left untreated, it will fester into resentment, and resentment unchecked will become hardened to bitterness.  Someone once said, “Bitterness is emotional suicide; it’s like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die.”  

TODAY'S FOCUS: ROOTING OUR BITTERNESS

Stop nurturing resentment and bitterness.  Max Lucado writes in, The

Applause of Heaven, “Resentment is when you let your hurt becomes hate. Resentment is when you poke, stoke, feed and fan the fire, stirring the flames and reliving the pain… Resentment is the deliberate decision to nurse the offense until it becomes a black, furry, growling grudge.”

There are high costs associated with bitterness.   Joanna Weaver states, “The toxic root of bitterness poisons every area of our lives,leaving our hearts small and shriveled.  Unable to give or receive love, because we’ve chosen to hold on to our pain rather than give it to God."

Let's get a "Holy Makeover" with Joanna Weaver's 5 Steps on how to forgive and get rid of bitterness- (Having a Mary's Spirit)

1. Make The Choice - Choose to forgive. It doesn't matter if you fell like or if the other person accepts or deserve it. It's a willing act.
2. Find A Faithful Friend - Find a friend who is objective, truthful and prayerful, and not one who will help you to nurse or feed your hurt, encourage gossip or pick sides.
3. Bless, Don't Curse - Practice the art of blessing. It may be difficult when you have to bless the one who hurt you, but you are commanded not to repay evil with evil.
4. Keep No Records of Wrongs - Love keeps no records of wrong. Erase your mental hard drive. Release the strategies and harmful reminders of what has been done to you.
5. Bring It All To God - Pray about it. Although He already knows, pour your heart out to God. It will release your spirit.

These steps are essential because if bitterness is allowed to settle it becomes easy to throw blame on others. You judgment and reasoning becomes distorted. You may want to blame God like Naomi did when she tried to reason with her daughters in law saying, "the hand of the Lord is gone out against me.... I went out full and the Lord hath brought me home again empty..." (Ruth 1: 13-22)

ACTIVITY

Today make a conscious effort to release and remove the root of bitterness by taking the following actions

Get rid of all reminders that you can and are able to get rid of. Relationships with the exes or others that cause friction or jealousy

Gifts that are a reminder of his inability to provide or insult him

Letters, text, cards, emails etc... of hurts, offenses, past affairs....

Connections with friends that betray, gossip or undermine him

Refrain from using words and actions that reminds him of wrongs

Be kind - React in love

Clean your archives of bad or painful memories

Extend Grace -deliberately forgive and forget

Other....

There may be mistakes like a child, a tattoo or other "it's already done or said" mistakes that you may not be able to get rid of. Repent or seek forgiveness from God and or your husband if you have not done so already. Learn to keep your secrets among you (unless it is abusive and or detrimental) or with a mutual trusted friend or counselor. For Christ sake love as brethren.

Remember, there is nothing you cannot pray about. Release all grudges and any offense or resentment. Deal with issues immediately so they do not grow roots of bitterness to trouble and or affect your peace or relationship. Extend grace, deliberately forgive as Christ has forgiven you. Don't blame God or anyone for your mishaps. Don't build barriers, don't stoke or feed your resentments, but allow God's spirit to nurture your spirit through prayer and praise. Make the choice to release and root out bitterness.

If you want a life-change experience, I recommend Joanna Weaver's book, Having A Mary's Spirit to you personally and or for you next women's bible study/book session. You will truly experience God's peace and a Holy Makeover! I am a living witness that this book will change you from the inside out!

If these post blesses you, please share with your friends, post your comments, share your experience and or any challenges with your prayers. Advice to the husbands is posted on TWIGS Ministry FaceBook page

Make it a I'm Rooting Out Bitterness day!

All for a better relationship and an exciting life! ‪#‎twigs30dayshusbandchallenge‬

God Bless and Keep the Faith!

Virtuous Jewel