Deal With It

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. ~Hebrews 12:15, NIV

The squirrel buried the pecan in the soft soil. I watched from a nearby window and heaved a heavy sigh. That nut would become yet another tree for me to root out of the flower beds.

Sadly, I have been that nut-burying squirrel, digging a hole in my heart and stuffing down the strong emotions I didn't want to deal with at the time. I thought I was doing the right thing by hiding my hurt, but the results were even more catastrophic than the strong pecan saplings that appeared each spring in my garden.

The anger and hurt I refused to deal with grew into a deadly root of resentfulness and bitterness, one I wasn't even aware of it until it was too late.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, if you're like me and tend to bury those things you don't want to deal with--DON'T!!! I speak from experience gained the hard way. The enemy of our souls will use our "buried nuts" to advance his cause when we least expect it, unleashing a world of hurt on us and those around us.

Instead, call on the resources that are ours through God and His Word:


Learn to deal with anger quickly.
"In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. ~Ephesians 4:27-28, NIV

Satan will use any crack to slither in. When we stuff our anger, it only gives him a place to gain entrance, and if we give him an inch, he'll take a mile.

Learn to live in peace with others.
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. ~Romans 12:28, NIV

This is so hard, especially when others constantly bombard us with combustible material to fuel our anger. Thankfully, nothing is impossible with our God (Luke 1:37).

Learn to forgive.
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. ~Ephesians 4:32, NIV

Again, forgiveness is difficult work, but when we take the time to remember all that Christ has forgiven us, it makes it easier. It helps to remember that unforgiveness only hurts us, not the other party.


Father, forgive me for the times I neglect Your Word and harbor grudges and ill will in my heart. Thank You for showing me the effects of not dealing with my hurt, so that I'll be better prepared to handle things better next time. May these words I write be helpful to others who are refusing to deal with the strong emotions that come from living in a world cursed by sin. Give them the courage to do the hard work of uprooting bitterness in their lives. May they experience a strong sense of Your presence as You give them Your strength. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.