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PROGRAM D-8078
Have you ever fasted? I’m suggesting some “fasts” that would benefit all of us—all the time, not just once in a while. I recommended fasting from hurting words and replacing them with kind words. I talked about fasting from worrying and instead, learning to trust God more.
Here’s another fast that would really make a difference: Fast from bitterness; fill your heart with forgiveness and joy instead. Bitterness is one of the most harmful emotions you can ever experience. The thing about bitterness is that it is like a boomerang—it comes back in your face and wreaks untold pain in your heart.
Hebrews 12:15 says “See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.” I strongly encourage you to take a long fast—yes, a lifetime fast—from bitterness. This verse says that we are to “see to it” that we don’t allow bitterness to take root in our hearts.
When you’ve been harmed by someone else—especially if they show no remorse—that bitterness just sprouts up like a weed. I totally get it. It’s happened to me—no doubt, to everyone. Here’s the thing: if you don’t recognize that bitter root right away such that it starts to truly dig a hole in your heart, it becomes more and more difficult to get rid of it. Also, it affects other people and relationships—it defiles many, the Bible tells us.
Did you know that bitterness can be transmitted to your children, your mate, your coworkers—everyone in your life? When you allow bitterness to take root in your heart, you can’t keep it from spilling over to everyone else. It just does; you can’t stop it.
What can you do to make sure bitterness doesn’t find root in your heart? Confess it to the Lord, ask him to set you free, and memorize scripture that you recite to yourself every time those bitter thoughts start invading your mind. Memorize scriptures like Ephesians 4:31: “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.” Another good one is Colossians 3:15: “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”
The Word of God is the one offensive weapon you’ve been given—it’s the only one you need—to attack the enemy of your soul who shoots those arrows of bitterness at you. You will defeat him and put away all bitterness from your heart when you fight back with God’s truth.