A friend of mine went through a massive emotional breakdown. After his
recovery, we went for a walk. “Luis,” he told me, “don’t ever
allow anyone to make you bitter.”
He told me about his breakdown which proved very embarrassing.
“My problems began when I got so worked up about the contractor who didn’t
build my basement and driveway right. I hated what he’d done to my home. And
since he lived next door, I saw him almost daily. Each time I saw him, my anger
and bitterness grew even more intense until I finally cracked.”
No wonder God’s Word is so emphatic: “Get rid of all bitterness”
(Ephesians 4:31). Why? Because if a “bitter root grows up” within
you, it will “cause trouble and defile many” (Hebrews 12:15).
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Illustration taken from: Luis
Palau’s book, How to Renew Your Spiritual
Passion, Discovery House, 1995.
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