BATTLING BITTERNESS

Our souls can be calloused if we don’t deal with the friction (problems/challenges) that work against us and our souls.

People whose souls are calloused are hard; the Bible calls it in verse 12 “an unbelieving heart” and hardened heart at the end of v 13.

(NKJV)

12 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God;

13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

14 For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end,

15 while it is said: “Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”

“A callus is a toughened area of skin which has become relatively thick and hard in response to repeated friction, pressure, or other irritation.”

Our souls can be calloused if we don’t deal with the friction (problems/challenges) that work against us and our souls.

People whose souls are calloused are hard; the Bible calls it in verse 12 “an unbelieving heart” and hardened heart at the end of v 13.

Pain

Pain from strained or difficult relationships

Pain from shame because of personal choices/decisions, etc..

WHEN WE DON’T SEEK TO DEAL WITH OUR BITTERNESS - OUR HARD HEARTS - WE ACTUALLY BEGIN TO LET SITUATIONS AND PEOPLE EAT AWAY AT OUR LIVES AND ULTIMATELY OUR HOPE AND TRUST IN THE LORD

HERE’S THE PROBLEM WITH HAVING A HARD HEART

“HARD HEARTEDNESS CAN EASILY BECOME HABITUAL, CLOSING OUR HEARTS MORE AND MORE TO GOD (AND OTHERS) MAKING IT HARDER AND HARDER TO ENGAGE IN REGULAR WORSHIP WITH GOD AND HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS

“DO NOT HARDEN

SO HOW DO YOU BATTLE BITTERNESS?

1. REPENT FOR YOUR BITTERNESS

Tell the Lord that you are sorry for carrying a pain that He died to conquer and heal on the cross.

IT IS A SIGN THAT WE ARE NOT TRUSTING IN THE LORD

2. REST IN GOD’S LOVE

Fight to know that regardless of how humans have let you down and have not showed you love - know that Jesus is absolutely in love with those who fight to love and trust His Son.

3. RECONCILE WITH OTHERS

Why did i put “Rest in God’s Grace” before “Reconcile with Others?”

1. True reconciliation with another person is never possible until you have reconciled or returned to the Love of Christ

2. You need to know that your obedience to Jesus is what God holds you responsible for; not the response of others