If you have suffered from acid reflux, you will probably be at the very least grimacing now as the memory of the acute pain it causes comes to mind.
For those who have never suffered its ravaging effects or don’t even know of it, then let me describe what it’s like. Imagine pouring neat sulphuric acid down your throat!
I mentioned in my last piece about engaging in an activity that’s so powerful it cannot be overstated, it fights, like a very strong disinfectant against Christian germs, otherwise called sin. The word is sincerity, of the Godly type.
This time I want to focus on the opposite, which is where the title of this message comes in, by focusing on an equally powerful word which could be considered to be the opposite of sincerity. The word I am writing about is bitterness.
It came home quite forcibly to me very recently, that it is something that I suffer from, by dwelling too long on an offence or sin, perish the thought, that I should have suffered in some way.
Acid reflux gets right inside of you and proceeds to literally burn its way in to everything it touches, leaving scarring which will help to ensure that its effect will be long lasting.
Replace acid reflux with bitterness and you will have the same outcome, only possibly in two ways, perhaps physically but certainly spiritually.
When bitterness strikes, am I not standing in judgement of a situation, usually without all the facts and therefore also judging at least one if not more people who are involved as well? Question, am I authorised to either replace God or share with him the responsibility in judging others?
Also, if bitterness is present, then rightly or wrongly I believe that my negative or should that be sinful interpretation of an occurrence is firmly established and this will indicate that I am not happy about an outcome and soon frustration comes in to the mix. A lethal combination for sure!
Result-acidity and consequential burning, not of my inner body organs this time, but me personally, in my thinking and almost certainly my relationships with others.
People matter, you and I matter! It says in Isiaih 53 that by His stripes we are healed, Jesus promised at the end of Matthew 11 that we are to go to him and exchange our burdens for His which are light.
So next time you and I get the spiritual reflux of bitterness, we need to pause and then think how perfect we aren’t, before reaching for the spiritual medicine of sincere forgiveness.
I am certainly challenged about bitterness, are you?
All blessings to you
Tony