“Your ways and your doings have procured these things for you. This is your wickedness, because it is bitter, because it reaches to your heart.” Jeremiah 4:18

Reaching to the Heart

At first glance, the above Scripture doesn’t seem very uplifting. God is telling His beloved children that life as they know it is about to change—He is bringing destruction upon them because they have refused to repent and there is no other way to get their attention.

But there is another word here for us today. It comes at the end of the verse: “…because it reaches to your heart.”

I received a note in the mail some time ago from a family member who felt slighted by the omission of her grown, married son from a Christmas greeting I sent. No harm was meant on my part; I did not know she would be offended. But she was very hurt and told me to never contact her again and to remove her name from my address book.

Bitterness had lodged in her heart. No doubt this terse note from her was the final straw in a long list of harbored, hidden complaints against me. I don’t know what those things are, and unless God works a miracle of restoration (for which I have repeatedly prayed), I will never know.

Here is my point: some things should be allowed to pass on by. To bounce right off of us. Hi, and goodbye, just that quickly. A momentary life-glitch. If we will choose to show grace, the thoughts will not stick around, will not take up residence in our hearts.

But bitterness will reach our hearts and lodge there if we nurture it.

The danger is in the lodging. The invitation to stay awhile. These are the thoughts and emotions that take up residence in us because we entertain them so often. We expose ourselves to certain thoughts for so long, they become who we are. This can be a sour expression, harsh words, selfishness, protective walls we build, and so many other anger-driven or pain-driven responses to people and events. When we re-visit difficult places in our thoughts day after day, we are literally digging the foundation for a home for bitterness in our hearts. “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7a).

Many bitterness-causing events will happen to us throughout our lifetimes. We must subject our thoughts to the scrutiny of God’s Word.

What does He say about our concerns, fear, pain, grief? This is what we must conform our thoughts to.

What does He say about the people who caused us this trouble? This should form the basis of our prayers.

What does He say about our future? That is what we hope in.

What does He say about our foundation? That is what we stand on.

Father, forgive us for replaying hurtful situations in our thoughts. Help us to stand on Your truth in all things. Amen.