Poisonous or Medicinal?

   Sometimes I start to get so angry at how mean some people can really be. Whether it is an abusive parent, a drunk spouting cruel words on the street, or even just the rudeness of a stranger. It can spread all the way to those who murder, abuse, or sell a child into sex slavery. How can people be okay with doing this? Do they not hurt and regret it? Do they not ache for the hurt they see in those they are affecting? As I start to get angry, God makes me realize that most of it probably stems from hurt and rejection.

 

   How do you really love if you hate yourself and are holding on to they bitter things of your past? I guess you end up loving with that bitterness, you love with that hurt and anger.

   

    Before I get too carried away, I have to just pray that God will break my heart for what breaks his…..give me vision to recognize the bitter roots. The roots of pain that have been planted somewhere along the line in the person’s life, the roots that are casting darkness into them today.

   

   As an Herbalist, I’ve learned that the majority of herbal roots (dandelion, burdock, gentian, etc.) are very bitter. Quite similar to some of the roots that have been planted in people’s past. However, I have also learned that the bitterness in these roots means they are either medicinal or very poisonous. Kind of like our own roots, I suppose. We do have a choice, however, in what becomes of our roots. Do we choose God and allow his Grace to make the bitterness of our past medicinal, or do we let it poison our lives today?  Essentially it will end up poisoning those around us with our anger and negativity; leading to their abuse and hurt.   

   

   This is when I realize that in all things, everyone needs prayer. As hard and as controversial as this sounds….I am not the one to judge, so I say pray. Pray for those who murder, rape, and steal; pray for the men purchasing a woman or child; pray for the tyrants and abusers; but most of all pray for their hurt which is making them so poisonous. Don’t let their bitterness plant roots of bitterness in your life……choose grace.