ManageYourEmotionsBook8.5x5.5_RevJULY.indd

back to a previously mentioned event that took place years before in David’s life. One spring, when most kings went into battle, David stayed home and committed adultery with a beautiful girl named Bathsheba that he’d spotted bathing. He sank deeper into sin by arranging the murder of Bathsheba’s husband Uriah and taking her as his wife. So, it turns out that Bathsheba was the daughter of Eliam, the son of Ahithophel - which makes Bathsheba, you got it,Ahithophel’s granddaughter (2 Samuel 11:3, 13:34).Whether King or peasant, no man has a right to commit such atrocious acts. No wonder Ahitho- phel was seething--so much so that he burned with rage for nearly a decade, feigning loyalty to the King, waiting for the perfect opportu- nity to exact revenge. As Ramon Narvaez, the 19 th century prime minister of Spain lay dying, he was asked by a priest, “Does your Excellency forgive all your enemies?” “I don’t have to forgive my enemies,” replied Nar- vaez, “I have had them all shot.” 36 It’s too late for Ahithophel and Narvaez to go back and change their actions, but there’s still time for you and me to learn from their mistakes.As theWord warns, “See to it that no . . . Root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and that by it may be de- filed” (Hebrews 12:15). Like a root, when unattended, bitterness sinks roots deep into our souls, choking out the good fruit God wants to produce in our lives. AsWatchman Nee, 20 th Century Chinese church leader and author said, “Frequently the enemy entices Christians to harbor an unforgiving spirit – a very common symptom indeed among God’s children. Such bitterness and fault-finding and enmity inflict a severe blow upon the spiritual life.” 37 Let’s close out this chapter by de- tailing three ways to banish bitterness and get on the pathway to betterness. Own up to it- Tragically, some have buried their bitterness for so long that it’s part of their DNA and they’re oblivious to it.

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