UNDER OUR SKIN

When something ‘gets under our skin’ we can be upset or irritated, maybe angry because of it. If we marinate and stew over being wronged by another’s comments or actions, we must take care not to form ideas of revenge or reciprocation. There is a real narrow emotional river that we might cross and quickly get to the other side where something is deeper than skin deep.
If something gets under our skin and then goes deeper and enters our heart, we could have a much larger issue. The book of Hebrews calls this a ‘root of bitterness.’ “Make sure that no one misses out on God’s grace. Make sure that no root of bitterness grows up that might cause trouble and pollute many people” (Hebrews 12:15). This is a take on an earlier instruction from Moses: “Make sure there isn’t any root among you that is sprouting poison and bitterness” (Deuteronomy 29:18).
Usually the way to rid ourselves of bitter root judgments and not miss God’s grace is by forgiveness. The more quickly we can forgive the less deeply issues seep into our skin.

“Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” Jesus