Understanding Bitterness and Anger
Once we repent, our sins are always forgiven (1 John
1:9). However, some sins often continue to plague us relentlessly for two
reasons. They are caused by a subconscious lie from the pit of hell, and this
lie is still affecting us every day of our life. What is the sin, which so
easily ensnares you? (Hebrews 12:1) What happened in your past that
draws you to that sin over and over again?
For instance, my besetting sin is anger. I use anger to
protect myself from abuse and neglect. Why do I do that? I had incidences in my
life of both abuse and neglect. My soul - my mind, will and emotions - do not
want to experience either of these issues again. Therefore, I use anger to
fight against anything that even remotely appears to resemble either
exploitation or abandonment.
I fight the circumstance and I clash with the person whom I
perceive is abusing or neglecting me. I do not even think about it before I
react. I automatically over-react to any behavior that involves me, which even
hints at being abusive or negligent. This over-reaction in anger is a sin,
because it is telling God that I do not trust Him to care for me. I want to
control the situation to keep myself safe.
As humans, when something upsets us, it triggers the wounds
from our past. We react from the anguish of our soul and complain bitterly
about the current issue, because of these ancient wounds (Job
7:11). This bitterness, rooted in the hurtful experiences of our
past, will spring up and cause us all sorts of trouble. It will even spoil our
current relationships and hinder our walk with the Lord (Hebrews
12:15).
Prayer:
Father God, bitterness and anger reside in our heart over
past wounds. Show us the root of Satan's lies, which stand against Your truth (James
3:14; www.theophostic.com ). We need Your forgiveness for sin, as well as Your
healing and cleansing from the root of the sin, which allows that sinful
behavior to perpetually manifest in our life. Remind us that when Your Son sets
us free, we are free indeed (John 8:36).
Thought for the Day:
God wants to cleanse our soul from bitterness and anger and
allow His sweet, living water to flow from our soul instead of putrid, bitter
water from the painful experiences in our past. - James 3:11
