Musician Beethoven Was Poisoned!

Beethoven. World-famous musician. For 2 centuries, his death was a mystery. Beethoven suffered from severe depression, irritability, and abdominal pain. He longed that someone will discover his illness so that the "world may be reconciled to him." In 1994, 2 Americans discovered the cause of his death - lead poisoning. The thing is it didn't come to him lump sum. It came to him slowly until it killed him. More likely, the poison came from eating contaminated fish or drinking excessive wine. But the lead killed him slowly and quietly—one little bit of poison at a time.

That's also how bitterness and unforgveness can destroy a soul. What keeps wounded relationships to heal is when we keep "prideful bitterness" inside our heart. Little by little, day by day, this bitterness and unforgiveness can poison our relationship with God and others.

Over the years, I found that I had my share of disappointments with people that turn to bitterness. So I'd always seek God for strength and His Word for guidance. As always, God's Word shines brilliant light on my own darkness. "If you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions” (Matthew 6:14-15). “For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment” (James 2:13).

Friend, don't let bitterness and unforgiveness poison you slowly. The poison kills. Hebrews 12:14-15 says, “Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled…” We all need to forgive not only for the sake of others, but also for ourselves.