NOTHING BURIED ALIVE DIES (Pt. 1)

“See to it that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.” — Hebrews 12:15

There is an old saying that rings true: Nothing buried alive dies.

Many of us think we’ve buried our pain. We convince ourselves we’ve moved on. But wounds that are buried are not healed. They remain alive beneath the surface, waiting for the right moment to reappear.

The spouse who abandoned us, the parent who constantly criticized us, the friend who betrayed us, or the leader who abused our trust leaves more than memories. They leave lenses through which we begin to see everyone else.

Then someone unknowingly brushes against that old wound. It may be a tone of voice, a delayed response, a broken promise, or a disagreement. Suddenly, our reaction is far greater than the moment requires.

We think we’re dealing with the person in front of us, but we’re really arguing with a ghost from our past.

They aren’t our unfaithful spouse, our critical parent, or our betraying friend. Yet they become the substitute upon whom we pour unresolved grief, anger, fear, and disappointment.

We don’t heal by doing this. We simply transfer our pain and transferred pain rarely produces beneficial results. It wounds innocent people while leaving the original wound untouched.

Hebrews warns us about a bitter root. Roots grow in the dark, but they eventually bear fruit for everyone to see. Jesus doesn’t merely trim the fruit; He heals the root.

Today, ask yourself, “Am I responding to this person, or am I responding to an old wound?”

Healing begins when we stop asking today’s people to pay yesterday’s debts.

Bring your wound to Christ. What is surrendered to Him no longer has to control you.

Prayer

Father, reveal the wounds I have buried instead of healed. Forgive me for allowing yesterday’s pain to shape today’s relationships. Heal every bitter root and help me see others through the grace You have shown me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

–PGR