Avoids Bitterness Toward Others

Avoids Bitterness Toward Others

A HERO’S TALE

Take a quick look at the two verses that tell the brief but powerful story of the little Jewish slave girl in 2 Kings 5:2-3.

At this time Aramean raiders had invaded the land of Israel, and among their captives was a young girl who had been given to Naaman’s wife as a maid. One day the girl said to her mistress, “I wish my master would go to see the prophet in Samaria. He would heal him of his leprosy.”

This little girl is one of the least-known characters in the Bible. Her whole life is summed up in exactly 56 words. We don’t know her name or what Israelite town she came from. Yet those 56 words pack the spiritual punch of a heavyweight boxer.

We’ve talked about how this girl showed kindness to her enemies and exhibited joyful patience during a severe trial. But what about her lack of bitterness? Even though Naaman was responsible for completely ruining her former life, it seems she held no bitterness toward him. No grudge holding. No anger boiling deep down. Nothing.

And it doesn’t appear she was bitter at God, either, for allowing this great difficulty to come her way. Otherwise, she would have sulked and complained rather than suggesting that Naaman visit God’s prophet, Elisha, to be healed of his leprosy.

No, there was no bitterness in her. Scripture might not tell us much about this little girl, but she sure can teach us a lot!

DECODING THE MESSAGE

Spiritually speaking, bitterness can be deadly.

Bitterness is lingering anger we feel toward people when we don’t forgive them. It acts like a slow-working poison, gradually killing the love, compassion, and forgiveness that God wants in our hearts. Staying angry at these people —no matter who they are or what they’ve done to you —is wrong. That’s why today’s verse commands us to “get rid of all bitterness.”

We need to heed the lesson of the girl in 2 Kings 5. No matter how other people mistreat us, we are to forgive and love and to avoid bitterness at all costs.

BATTLE PLAN

Are there people who have wronged you? Go forgive them in person as soon as possible to keep bitterness from poisoning your heart.