Clear Out the Kudzu

There was a tree in the front yard of my childhood home that was situated very near the house. My dad tried every way possible to kill it, but the roots were just too strong. He cut the tree, dug it out, and even drilled holes in the remaining roots and poured poison in them, but time after time it would return as healthy as ever. Fast forward twenty years, and there is still a vibrant, thriving tree standing strong in defiance against his efforts.

It is possible that one day those brawny roots will break up the foundation of the house. The Bible describes bitterness as a root, and so the same potential lies in our hearts when we allow bitterness to burrow in and begin to grow and fester. Eventually, the very foundations of our lives are in danger.

In many of our southern states grows a mystical vine called Kudzu. It falls in mesmerizing sheets across the landscape utterly enveloping everything in its path. Light poles, forests, abandoned cars and houses disappear under the dense leaves, and all that remains is an eerie outline of what once was.

It is “The vine that ate the South.”

The Bible describes bitterness as a root, and so the same potential lies in our hearts when we allow bitterness to burrow in and begin to grow and fester. Eventually, the very foundations of our lives are in danger.
Breana Henry

The prevailing issue with Kudzu is that as the vine climbs swiftly up and over tree trunks, it begins to starve out native vegetation underneath. The sun’s powerful rays cannot penetrate through the darkness of dense foliage well enough to sustain the otherwise healthy plants that are hidden beneath the shadow of the Kudzu.

During the Dust Bowl era, Kudzu was planted across the South because it grew quickly, replenished nutrients in the soil, and protected the swiftly eroding dirt from the fierce wind. It accomplished its intended purpose; however, the hungry plant began to invade places no one intended.

The vine of the Kudzu and the root of bitterness have much in common.

It seems like a solution to plant a seed of hatred in our hearts when we have been wounded. We want the hate to cover the wound and protect against future pain.

The issue is that the hatred that we plant will stretch into bitterness and soon cover the joy and the peace in our lives. Eventually, kindness, and goodness are also swallowed up by the bitterness that has morphed its way across the landscape of our lives. It climbs up healthy, thriving plants of spirituality, prayer, and love. These once-healthy aspects of our lives then struggle to survive under the shadow of bitterness. Once the light is choked out, the good fruit of peace, love, and joy die, while the vines of negativity, criticism, and backbiting begin to thrive.

In the way that Kudzu devours old, abandoned houses, bitterness can swallow up entire families. It can also spread from one pew of a church to another reaching all the way across the building as it oozes out of the one who first allowed it to take root. As it twists around a family or congregation, divisions and heresies begin to form. No good comes from the relentlessness of bitterness.

In the way that Kudzu devours old, abandoned houses, bitterness can swallow up entire families.
Breana Henry

Thankfully, as it is with Kudzu, however pervasive it may be, eradication is possible.

According to the Conserving Carolina website, the first method in eliminating Kudzu is to catch it early. Bitterness is no different. When we sense that feeling of hate and bitterness growing, we must make every effort to stop the growth. It does not belong in the beautiful life we’re trying to create. We must be slow to anger and quick to forgive. Jesus and Stephen both offered a clear example as they forgave those who were in the very act of murdering them.

The second technique is continual and consistent mowing of the plant. Forgiveness is not a one-time event nor is removing bitterness. It takes consistently giving it to God until the hate is no longer there until we can look at the person who hurt us and genuinely want the best for them.

The next option for eliminating the Kudzu is to spray the leaves with herbicide multiple times during the growing period. We need to spray our bitterness with love. Spray it with God’s word. Spray it with prayer. Spray it with mercy and forgiveness, which is the ultimate herbicide for the deadly root. Cover it again and again until it is gone.

The last piece of advice for removing the invasive vine is to get down in the dirt and dig up the crown, which is the birthplace of the roots and vines. We must get down on our hands and knees before God and root out bitterness allowing God to help us get it out so that we can live a full and overcoming life.

We must get down on our hands and knees before God and root out bitterness allowing God to help us get it out so that we can live a full and overcoming life.
Breana Henry

The Conserving Carolina website said, “…controlling Kudzu is tough but not impossible.”

Once the darkness of bitterness takes root, it is tough, but not impossible to eliminate. It will not disappear on its own. No, we must put in the work to eradicate it from our lives. Once it’s gone, the good plants can begin to thrive again in the light.

The beautiful, abundant life God wants for us won’t be visible if it’s eaten up with bitterness. Our lives are to be sweet so that others can “taste and see that the Lord is good.” Bitterness may be easily compared to the vine that ate the South, but it doesn’t have to be the root that ate our hearts.

“Looking diligently… lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled” Hebrews 12:15 (KJV).

“Search me, O God, and know my heart: Try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” Psalm 139:23-24 (KJV).

Let us clear out the Kudzu.

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