A Bruised Reed!

Several years ago, Gayle said, “You’re not the same person I married.” I replied “Yes, you’re right, but I don’t know why I changed." Why had I changed from being a quiet, timid, and fearful young bride to a strong woman with a brusque, black and white (with no gray areas) personality? I knew something was amiss, so I began asking the Lord, “What happened?”

One day during our devotional time, Gayle read Hebrews 12:15, which warns believers against allowing a "root of bitterness" to grow. Unchecked resentment can spread, corrupting both the individual and others. We prayed together, asking the Lord to search our hearts and show us if we had any root of bitterness in us and to set us free.   

The next morning, the thought came, “I have a “root of bitterness!” Even though I’d already repented and forgiven everyone, it still felt like the enemy’s hands were holding a tight grip on that root of bitterness, trying to keep it in my heart. Immediately, a movie began rolling in my mind’s eye showing every rejection, betrayal, and intense, emotional hurt that occurred from family, friends, teachers, and even spiritual leaders. I felt like a bruised reed, that had been bent over and stomped on from words or situations that had greatly pierced and wounded my heart throughout my lifetime. Then the movie stopped. It focused on one specific person, along with the immense trauma and devastating betrayal from that person. After that, I saw myself rise up and declare, “NO MORE!!”

At that moment the Lord opened my understanding and showed me this was the reason why I had changed. I repented of the bitterness that I had unknowingly been harboring in my heart. James 5:16 says, “Confess your faults to one another, so you may be healed.” I confessed to Gayle what had just occurred, and right then, Jesus totally set me free! No longer did I feel like a bruised reed. Jesus did what His word said it would do. He healed me, freed me, and brought restoration to me from all the hurts, rejections, and betrayals I had experienced. I was now set free!

“Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled.” Heb. 12:14-15

Myrna Brogdon

Los Fresnos, TX