Psalm 37:8
Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret-it leads only to evil.
Proverbs 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
One of the activities I loved as a child was horseback riding. Whenever my sister, our friends and I decided to go, we always drew straws to see who would have to bridle Pearl. Pearl, named for her beautiful pearly white coat, was an older, very stubborn horse. If you didn't approach her just right, you were in for a fight!
On one particular occasion, my sister, a fiery red head with a short fuse, was the lucky one to take on this near impossible task. After several failed attempts, we could see her patience was wearing thin. Finally, in an outburst of frustration and anger, she slammed the bridle down on the ground and turned to stomp away. Not to be outdone, Pearl also turned a complete 180 degrees and using both hind legs, kicked my sister squarely in the rear end, sending her soaring! She looked like a baseball player diving for home plate in a World Series game!
Fortunately, the only thing my sister injured was her pride. In fact, the rest of us bore the brunt of the scrapes and bruises when we fell off the fence we were perched atop. We were laughing so hard, we simply couldn't control ourselves!
~Up Close and Personal~
Most of us probably don't have to deal with a stubborn animal like Pearl in our day to day lives, but we can encounter other people that test our limits. Often we can react to others in a way that only makes matters worse. When was the last time your temper got away from you?
Who was involved and what were the circumstances?
Looking back, did your reaction help or hurt the situation?
God's word encourages us to respond in a better way. In fact, one of His greatest commandments to us is to love one another. This is second only to His command to love Him. If you search the scriptures for this commandment, you will also note what it doesn't say. It doesn't say love one another only when you agree with them. It doesn't say love one another only when they make you happy. Do you see where I'm going with this?
My challenge for you today is to choose God's way and respond in love rather than reacting in anger. How is that possible? Forgive me if this next statement offends you. I believe it's impossible on our own! Sure we may find some success for a time. Maybe we count to ten? Maybe we leave the situation to regain our composure? These are both great methods that have served me well. However, the only way I can somewhat consistently respond in love to the difficult people and situations in my life is to lean on God for His help. And therein lays a magnificent truth about our Heavenly Father. Whatever He asks of you, whatever He commands, He is fully aware of just how much help we need to carry out His wishes. And not only is He ready and willing to assist us, it is His delight!
Are you facing a difficult situation right now? Is there someone in your life right now that you are having difficulty tolerating, let alone loving? Maybe it's time to stop counting to ten and start counting on Him? Share your struggle with Him. Offer it to Him in prayer and seek the help we all desperately need.
~Name It~
Read Psalm 37:8; Proverbs 15:1 aloud.
What is the promise included in Psalm 37:8?
Psalm 37:8 promises that if we do not cease from anger and wrath; if we continue to fret or worry; it will lead us to do evil. I do not believe this text is referring to the momentary anger we may feel when the initial incident occurs. That reaction is only natural. I believe this text is referring to our propensity to dwell on the incident well past the initial injury. Have you ever noticed how much worse a situation seems once you retell it to another? With each recollection, our anger grows. If we dwell on it long enough, what began as a relatively minor infraction can balloon into a relationship destroying monster. It can lead us to behave in a way we may think is justified, but in truth is evil. Can you think of a situation in your own life that you dwelt on for so long that your anger consumed you?
What are the promises included in Proverbs 15:1?
If we are gentle in speech, it will turn away wrath. If we speak harshly, it will stir up anger. I believe these promises are relating to our initial reaction in the heat of the moment. If we can choose to respond with kindness in spite of how we may be feeling, we will help diffuse the situation. If we choose to respond based solely on our emotions, we will only make matters much worse. We don't have to be a slave to our emotions. We can choose what we know is right no matter how we may feel. We can pray for God's help to do just that.
~Claim It~
Dear Heavenly Father, as I encounter difficult people in my day to day life, help me remember your unfailing love for me. Help me choose to do what's right no matter how I may be feeling. Help me trust that absolutely nothing happens in my life without you first allowing it. Help me see each difficult situation as an opportunity to build character and to demonstrate my obedience and love to you. Help me see beyond the emotions of the moment and to focus on the lasting effects my words and actions will have. Help me to forgive and prevent me from harboring anger and bitterness. Give me the compassion and patience to respond in love.
In Your heavenly name I pray, Amen.
Great Post! I love how you take a story from your own past experience and relate it to the "now" in life. After the greatest command which is to love God above all else which of course means trusting him completely, loving others as he has loved us. Wow, that's ofen the hard part.
ReplyDeleteDying to our self pity, wounded heart and all, and wishing the best for those who harm us seems impossible. But, isn't it the greatest victory of all when we assume that despite the seeming horrible circumstances of a situation, when we don't harbor ill-will and whisper a prayer, "Father forgive them (him/her) they know not what the do" - even if it seems the painful darts were purposeful, this very act of the heart often turns the situation backwards and like rubbing salt on a would, those very people have an inkling of what love is all about - forgiveness. Even if we don't see hearts change, WE change! All of a sudden, we experience true compassion for others, the very ones who hurt us! Compassion -> "to suffer with." We then can see their woundedness, pain and sorrow and it's so much easier to love them!
~Marina [a safe harbor]