Bitter Roots (Part 1)

The enemy is relentless. He plants seeds of destruction in your heart through abuse, hardship, rejection, and any other means necessary. That seed, when rooted within, grows and takes over. It is like a weed in a garden – if it is allowed to grow, it takes over and kills any good, healthy plants around it. It must be pulled out at the root. If any part of the root is left, it will rejuvenate and grow again.

 

http://gossipinthegarden.com/previous-articles
/wordless-wednesday-beautiful-weeds-2/

Interestingly, some weeds are actually quite beautiful. Look at the Crimson Clover to the left. It produces a dark red flower that appears lovely and healthy. However, its beauty is deceptive because it is very invasive and can choke out healthy grasses and plants around it.

That’s how many of us are in our lives when we bury our past. We look like everything is okay on the outside; like we have dealt with our past and have moved on. And even we can believe that things are okay. But in reality, all we have done is bury the root. In the darkness of our hearts, that root grows and eventually it will push through. If we let it go long enough, it will take over and choke out all the good in our lives, just like the clover in the picture below.

http://extension.oregonstate.edu/news/release/2011/06/

clover-seed-brings-income-oregon-farmers-nitrogen-soi

Are you struggling with materialism, anger, food addiction, drugs, alcohol, adultery, fornication, or any other type of vice? Those things are just the symptom of the root inside.

The Bible addresses this directly:

"See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many." (Hebrews 12:15)

Bitter root grows when you don't deal with your issues, which causes the fruit of your life to be bad. You then seek relief through other means: anger, materialism, food, drugs, alcohol, and other vices. You also become toxic to other people and draw other evil spirits to you.

You can't change your past, but you can change your attitude about your past and the impact your past has on your present and future. This starts by dealing with and working through the pain and allowing God to penetrate deep into your soul. It is difficult and painful, but definitely worth it.