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Daily Recharge
Mal Fletcher
It Can Kill!
19 April 2024
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.' (NIV)
Bitterness, if left unchecked in our hearts, is a very dangerous thing. It can do great damage to us on a physical level. You're a whole being, not a collection of separate parts that make up a machine. Your emotions affect your physical condition. Bitterness increases the stress on our bodies and sometimes contributes to mild conditions such as headaches and muscle tension. Sometimes it leads to more serious problems such as heart conditions, strokes and the development of cancers. Nobody knows exactly how closely bitterness and sickness are linked, it is very hard to measure, but many people have experienced significant improvement in their physical condition when they've come to a place of forgiveness. Bitterness also damages us emotionally, leading us to turn our feelings inward on ourselves. When this happens, the negative feelings eventually seeks an outlet. No matter how hard we try to hide them away, those sour feelings will come out, often when we least expect or want them to surface. We can also turn bitter feelings outward in immediate anti-social actions. In all, bitterness is something we must guard against with all our hearts, and all of God's great strength. Maintaining a close daily walk with him makes it possible for us to stay aware of our own feelings toward others, and to call upon his forgiving power when we need it most.
Prayer: 'Lord, please search my heart. If you see any bitter thought, please remove it – or make me aware of it so that I can correct it. I love you and I want my body and my emotions to honour you.'
© Mal Fletcher 2003-2004
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