Below are some reflections from Pam after going through a Redemption Group at the Mars Hill Ballard campus this past quarter.
“See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled” (Hebrews 12:15).
As I looked at thorn splinters that have been in my hand for a couple of months, God revealed some lessons on bitterness.
- Like bitterness, the first splinters are easier to see and remove than underlying ones. Just as I need to look under a magnifying lens to clearly see the splinter pieces, I need to take my bitterness to God and allow Him to show me other “pieces” of my bitterness.
- Often I can’t remove the splinter pieces until I have showered and my skin is soft. Likewise, God works best when I allow Him to cleanse and soften my heart.
- I must use a needle and dig deeply to remove the splinters. This usually hurts and sometimes causes bleeding. Submitting to God’s sanctifying process of cleansing me from bitterness requires a sharp instrument such as God’s Word (see Hebrews 4:12), and the process is often painful. Like my blood washing out the splinters, Christ’s blood washes away my sin.
- Just as the deepest pieces of the splinter are the most difficult to come out and the last to be removed, the deepest wounds of the heart are the last healed and require the most arduous submission to Christ’s work.
- Removing all pieces of the splinter takes time, perseverance, and patience, similar to God’s process of sanctification.
- Applying antibiotic ointment helps the pain and keeps infection at bay, just like God’s healing balm works on our brokenness.
- My damaged skin will not be completely healed until ALL of the splinter is removed and the new skin grows back intact. If I leave some of the splinter in, the area may become infected. Likewise, if I want complete soul healing, I must submit to Christ and allow Him to remove all my roots of bitterness. It is vital that I grow a new mind and heart around the matter!
- If I enjoy my garden and tend to it, I will probably get hurt by thorns again. Similarly, if I open my heart to others, I will have more opportunities to be hurt and to develop bitterness. But just as I must be willing to dig the splinters out again, I must be willing to repeatedly submit my hurts to Jesus for healing. And if I do, I can enjoy a full, joyful life as a servant of Christ who does not have to fear the thorns!