Friday I was privileged to attend my friend Fran’s Women’s Retreat, a few hours of food, fellowships, and Bible study. Her theme for this session was : The Bitter Root of Resentment. I learned a few things!! Don’t you enjoy a revelation or a new thought when it comes zinging into your mind? I do. The source of truth is God and I am thankful when He opens my eyes to a blessing that has been there all the time; I just haven’t seen it.
Resentment against people or against God is sort of like a dirty old comfort blanket. If I’ve had that particular feeling toward someone for a long time, I feel justified in having it, and I sure don’t want to give it up, but when God shines the light of His truth on the resentment, I realize how ugly and hurtful it is. It is not harming anyone but myself. God gently takes it away and gives me in its place, the clean healing warmth of forgiveness. That’s a good exchange!
Resentment may be entrenched deeply, like the root of a tree. I might not even realize it’s there but out of that root grows a branch that does not bear fruit. It is ugly and twisted. It is the result of that unseen bitter root which the Lord wants to excise so I can grow into the person He meant me to be.
As I went through Bible verses, I was amazed at how many times trees are mentioned in the Bible. Three of my favorite places are Jeremiah 17:7-8, Isaiah 61:3, and Psalm 1:3. I love the beauty, comfort, truth, and hope of these verses. Another fascinating passage is the whole chapter of Ezekiel 31. It bears a lot of study and contemplation.
Fran brought out the fact that we can’t control the bad things that happen to us but we can control our response to those bad things. Bitterness and resentment take root and grow when our response does not include letting God handle the situation. Maybe we can’t forgive on our own but forgiveness is a choice and if we live by consciously (as many times as it takes) letting God take over, He will put forgiveness in our hearts and the bitter root of resentment won’t stand a chance.
The session began and ended at Fran’s bountiful table with a breakfast of scones and fruit, a lunch of sandwiches and mouth-watering desserts. We women who attended shared ideas and struggles and prayers. We retreated for a brief time and came away refreshed and ready to let God take out the bitter root of resentment so we can grow in the sunlight of His love.
Guard my heart against the root of bitterness! Very helpful blog today, Blanche. thank you!