Bitterness in the Wilderness

“Aphids! Ugh!” As I reach down to snip off the aphid covered rose bud, I notice a ladybug perched on top. “Well, Hi there, friend. Hmmm…I think I’ll let you continue your job with this rose bud. Maybe you can save the flower.” I leave her to it and continue watering the garden. As you can see from the picture below, she did fine work.

Sometimes life looks so bleak that there doesn’t seem to be a way for it to ever be put right. What makes the sorrow feel even more painful is that the season is often long, very long. Each additional disappointment, neglectful action, sharp careless word, or painful loss is felt more keenly with each passing day. There is a real danger of bitterness settling in around the heart. Actually, it will settle in like concrete if left to fester.

Our loving God knows we cannot walk through our wilderness without the threat of destruction from the aphid of bitterness. He knows we need to be able to run to him for safety because there is not strength in ourselves to fight it. Proverbs 18:10 says, “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and is safe.” Hebrews 12:15 - “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.”

Bitterness in the heart will destroy, and with that warning, we must run to our Savior in our trouble. He gives us the safety of His wisdom, strength, and ever-present love. The choice to flee from bitterness to God is an act of preservation. It is obedient trust in the One who can help.

Let us continually run to our Father who will guide us through our wilderness with the hope of His promises: “I will never leave you or forsake you” and “joy will come in the morning.”

Psalm 36:7 ~ How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.