A Distorted Heart - Result of Unforgiveness - Part 1

Why do we blame others for our mistakes and broken hearts?  Why do we give ourselves over to hate, unforgiveness, resentment and bitterness?  We all experience pain and suffering bought on by people and situations, however in some cases we are the biggest contributor to our brokenness.

How many times have we entered into relationships, whether love or business, where we hear that little voice of warning?  That voice is the Holy Spirit revealing a character flaw in that individual or an unethical business practice that will cause us harm somewhere down the road.  The warning signs are there, but because of our fleshly desires, we chose to ignore them.  The truth is that we have ourselves to blame for the pain.   We become bitter, vengeful and hateful.  We justify our feelings, demanding to be vindicated for our own foolishness.  


I know that there are situations where things are done to us that are not of our doing.  However, unforgiveness in these situations result in a distorted heart as well.  When I was younger, I was hurt in a way that affected me for a long time.  I was filled with anger, hate and thoughts of harming that person.  Before I knew it, these thoughts and feelings affected who I was and affected my relationships with people.  Over the years, I allowed other injustices to affect my heart.  I had become cold, unforgiving, distant; my heart became shadowed, distorted and twisted.  Hatred filters into your spirit and soul causing chains of wickedness to bind you. 

Sounds evil and it is.  You can be so unaware of whats going on inside of you, hidden in the depths of pain.  Unaware that you have opened the door for satan to sow evil fruit within you.

So here's the part where I say we are the biggest contributor to our brokenness.  It you are a Christian, you know that Jesus came to set the captives free, loose us from that which has bound us, give us abundant life (Luke 4:18, John 10:10).  Its a free gift, but we refused to accept it.  Instead, in our twisted way of thinking, we see our injustices as an excuse to hold on to the pain.  We refuse to let go!  Bound in chains, distorted heart, pride, bitterness, vengeful spirit, hatred, unforgiveness, etc., all of this....... FOR WHAT?  It's only hurting you!   SELAH