MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO LIVE IN PEACE WITH ALL MEN AND TO BE HOLY; WITHOUT HOLINESS NO ONE WILL SEE THE LORD. SEE TO IT THAT NO ONE MISSES THE GRACE OF GOD AND THAT NO BITTER ROOT GROWS UP TO CAUSE TROUBLE AND DEFILE MANY
(Hebrews 12:14-15).

Do you have a heart of stone: a heart filled with resentment, bitterness, and animosity?

Some years ago, I went through an experience where someone affronted and vexed me and caused a lot of injury to my heart.  I became bitter…very bitter.  I bristled with resentment and animosity.  My heart became hostile, harsh, and sour, and so did my spirit, soul, and body.

I was going to keep this behavior up for the rest of my life, until the Everlasting Father spoke to my heart and said, “Child, if you don’t look out, this bitterness of yours is going to destroy everything you have: your marriage, your friendships, and your own life.  Is that really what you want?”

I WILL GIVE YOU A NEW HEART AND PUT A NEW SPIRIT IN YOU; I WILL REMOVE FROM YOU YOUR HEART OF STONE AND GIVE YOU A HEART OF FLESH
(Ezekiel 36:26).

The Perfect Father added, “See to it that you do not miss My Grace, because it is enough for you, despite the mega offense that was committed against you. Bring your bitterness to Me. Then, I will remove your heart of stone and give you a new heart and put My Spirit of Love in you.  Are you willing?”

Well, that did it for me.  I recognized that bitterness ruins and tears everything to shreds.  I did not want to lose my marriage, my friendships, and my own life to bitterness.  I confessed my resentment and animosity and allowed my Father to remove my heart of stone…and replace it with His own.

Understand that it is not the stones someone hurls at you that cause trouble and defile many, but the stones that are stored in your own heart: the stones of bitterness, resentment, and animosity.

What stones of bitterness, resentment, and animosity are you storing in your heart? Why do you want to keep these in your heart, even though they are damaging your spirit, soul, and body?

What will it take for you to allow God to remove your heart of stone…and replace it with His own?

PRAYER: Lord God, shine Your Light in my heart so I may see the consequences of bitterness: the desolation it brings to my own heart, the separation it causes in my relationships, and the deterioration it brings to the quality of my life. Bring me to the place where I will ask, “Is this bitterness in my heart really worth the damage it is causing?”