May 21 Thought for the day...toss the tree, Part 2

Bitterness and unforgiveness are deep-rooted things that can damage our lives in many ways. Jesus gave us the way to healing from these challenges

Luke 17:6

The Lord answered, “If you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘May you be uprooted and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you!

Just as a reminder, this phrase is related to a discussion Jesus was having with His disciples about forgiving people as much as seven times in one day. The disciple's response, to do this, we need more faith!

Jesus was specific about the comparison of the sin of unforgiveness and bitterness when we said it was like tossing a mulberry tree. This particular type of mulberry represented bitterness and unforgiveness well. Its root system didn't give up easily. It grows in dry dessert places like the heart of a spiritually dry person, and it has a very bitter fruit and is eaten a little at a time meditated on then eaten again the way a person deals with bitterness and unforgiveness.

There are a couple more comparisons I want to make. The wood from this tree was used most often for caskets, and I believe Jesus was also referring to this tree because bitterness and unforgiveness can kill you. The only way the fruit is pollinated is by a wasp sting. Often people will refer to their pain as being stung by this person or that person. This tree was a perfect illustration of what bitterness and unforgiveness will do!

The Cure.....

Faith as a grain of mustard seed! This seed is tiny, even minuscule. Jesus is saying while bitterness and unforgiveness may run deep and may be difficult to eliminate in the natural, it only takes the tiniest bit of faith to defeat it. The challenge is, are you willing?

Are you ready to rip those deep seeded roots right out of your heart? Are you ready to let go of all the pain, rejection, and offenses you are facing? Are you ready to eliminate from your life the love, joy, peace stealing, unforgiveness, and bitterness? It is in your power to choose to ask the Lord to remove it from your life and then allow faith to arise inside of you to stand firm against the return of the bitterness and unforgiveness. God has made a way for you to be free, but you must choose to say, "I want this out of my life," and it will be.