Uprooting the Root

Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled. Hebrews 12:14,15 (New King James Version)

I am becoming acutely aware of the fact that my biggest problem is not the circumstances or people in my life. My biggest problem is my own heart. What my heart chooses to hold on to and justify will be what places me in bondage. Until I recognize that and take the appropriate steps to rectify it I will not walk in freedom or daily connection with the heart of God. Neither will I grow or move forward in my Christian life. Today’s passage in Hebrews warns of a root of bitterness which can cause trouble and defilement (contamination).

Like a tangled web of disaster, a root of bitterness can grow to the point of completely covering my heart and my spirit. It can easily bring me to the place where truth is unable to get from my head to my heart and transformation is hindered. Along with that, it can connect and tie me to the very things I want to release. Things like painful experiences, wounds, and heartache. Unless I see the truth of this and act upon it, I will mistakenly focus on the outward circumstances of my life and walk with a victim mentality. It is a place of no comfort, no joy, and no freedom. The Christian life is reduced to empty, painful living.

Why is that a route I and so many others choose? I believe there are a number of reasons. To admit it means I must be honest about what is in my own heart…what I am really like. Once I admit the truth about myself I must take responsibility for my actions and attitudes that have gone awry. With responsibility comes an awareness of a need to change. As long as I can blame my circumstances and others for the way I feel and live, I can somehow hold them responsible for the condition of my life. But that will never bring about change or freedom. That will only keep me in bondage.

If I allow Him, God will expose any root of bitterness and through confession will begin to clear away the tangled mess. As I embrace His forgiveness and mercy there is an ability to open my clenched fists and closed heart which finally releases me from my own prison of pain. While it may take awhile to come to this point, the deliverance is instantaneous!

Father, I praise You for exposing my heart and root of bitterness. I receive Your forgiveness and dance in Your freedom. Amen.