Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled. Hebrews 12:15 KJV
A long time ago there was a Chief who had suffered much from his rebellious subjects. But one day they surrendered their arms, threw themselves at his feet, and begged for mercy. He pardoned them all.
One of his Elders asked him, “Did you not say that every rebel should die?”
“Yes,” replied the Chief, “but I see no rebels here.”
The Chief did a great display of letting go. In his exercise of letting go were lessons of love, forgiveness, and forgetting. He let go the bitterness and the offenses his rebellious subjects had committed against him for years.
According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, to let go is to stop holding something—in this case, to stop holding bitterness and offense against someone. The Bible warns us in
Hebrews 12:15 Kjv, “Look diligently lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble us, and thereby many be defiled.”
Like the two sons of Jacob who wiped out a whole tribe because they were offended (Genesis 34:25-31), not letting go of offenses leads to bitterness, defilement, and great damage with time. Here are 3 ways of dealing with bitterness and offenses:
#1.Learn to overlook faults.
As humans, we are bound to offend others; but when we understand this and overlook the faults of others, we forestall bitterness and offenses. In Proverbs 19:11 the Bible says, “Discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.” Overlooking faults is one sure way of letting go.
#2. Learn to confront issues.
The Bible says in Mathew 18:15, “Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.” This principle is so important in dealing with offenses. Whenever you are offended you need to wisely confront the issue instead of brooding over it .
#3. Manage your expectations.
Sometimes our expectations of others are pegged too high, which leads to offenses and disappointments. In Proverbs 13:12 we are told, “Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.”
Precious one, learn to let go of offenses and live freely.
Prayer : Heavenly Father, take out every root of bitterness from my heart, and help me to deal with offenses, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Related Topics : Charles Agyinasare, Charles Agyinasare, Offenses,
