Deal With
Bitterness Now!
September 29, 2003
Absalom seemed like a born leader. Not only was he
the son of a king, he possessed Hollywood good looks and a
winsome personality. His sensitivity to the felt needs of the
masses enabled him to win their hearts and loyalty. He knew how
to scratch the masses where they itched.
Unfortunately Absalom used his influence to lead
people in the wrong direction. He organized a revolution against
his father, King David. Ultimately his effort to take his
father's throne failed and resulted in his own tragic death.
Perhaps the greatest lesson we can learn from
Absalom's failure is the destructive power of bitterness.
Absalom never got over the rape of his sister, Tamar, by one of
David's sons, Amnon. The king's failure to punish Amnon no doubt
contributed to Absalom's anger. Ultimately, that anger drove
Absalom to orchestrate the murder of Amnon. When someone wrongs
us, or someone we love, it's easy to feel justified in our anger
and allow it to sour into bitterness ferment into rage. Like
dominos falling on one another, each event in Absalom's life led
to another tragedy. After orchestrating the murder of his
half-brother, Absalom hid from his father for three years. No
sooner were the two reconciled than Absalom began using his
influence to undermine the king.
Ultimately, the tragedy could have been avoided if
Absalom hadn't allowed his anger to knock over the first domino.
As a leader beware. All of your natural and cultivated
leadership skills can be destroyed by bitterness like acid in a
paper cup. When you or someone you love is wronged, be ready to
forgive. The author of Hebrews offers sound advice. He said,
"See that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root
grows up to cause trouble and defile many" (Hebrews 12:15). How
do we do that? Join me for the Five Minute Power Meeting on
Tuesday and I'll share with you a strategy that flushes out
bitterness and replaces it with love.
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