Even if Your Voice Shakes

How would you define bitterness? It is often difficult to define, however, we know it when we see it and definitely when we feel it. It is something deep and disturbing, not easily dismissed. The Bible is clear that we need to remove any hints of bitterness from our life.

"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 12:15)

Wow! This verse is full of warning about bitterness: 1.) It can make us miss the grace of God; 2.) It has a root, therefore it is deep; 3.) It causes trouble; 4.) It can defile MANY.

Clearly, bitterness is something we should avoid at all costs. So, are we avoiding it at all costs? Are we discovering the roots of bitterness and working hard to avoid it as a distraction in our lives? I've read several articles and excerpts of books on the subject. It led me to causes such as the lack of gratitude, lack of grace for others or simply...sin. All of those things are true, but I couldn't help but think there was something else deeper going on with cause of bitterness.

Then it occurred to me while I was sitting and struggling with my own temptation to not become bitter about a situation: Bitterness comes when we withhold our voice and feelings in a certain situation.

Yes!!  That's it.

So often we look at others as the source of our bitterness: "He made me bitter." Or "This situation made me bitter." But it is never really about the other person or the situation; it is usually because we remained silent in the situation instead of using our voice.

Yes, our voice. That God-given instrument and gift that was meant to change worlds, minds and bring life and hope in a dark world. Our voice - the tool that we are often afraid to use. We hold back our thoughts, our voice, our emotions and then, slowly and quietly, it turns on us. It crawls deep within us and turns into bitterness.

To avoid this trap, let us speak up, even in our hurt and discouragement. This does not mean we don't practice James 1:19 (You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry). But we should think, reflect and then speak our hearts. When we withhold, there is something within us that becomes angry because we expect the world (the person) to know our thoughts, our feelings, our hurts, our fears. When they fail, which they will definitely do... we become angry. When they continue to fail... we come bitter.

One of my favorite quotes, that I have now found in a picture and have it on a wall in my office: "Speak the truth, even if your voice shakes." If we could just remember this simple act. The shaking only last for a moment, but the bitterness that can incur from withholding our truth, can last a lifetime.

Originally published in breath of God magazine (online). Visit breath of God online at  www.breathofgodmag.com