Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today- October 14, 2012
“Saul tried to pin him to the wall with his spear, but David eluded him as Saul drove the spear into the wall. That night David made good his escape” 1 Samuel 19:10
Process anger, or it will control your attitude and your actions. Anger is a self-fulfilling prophecy of destruction. It destroys peace and quiet and ravishes relationships. Anger is acidic, for it eats away at your credibility, your health, and eventually your ability to function successfully in life. Anger is an ugly emotion, as it easily embarrasses itself and humiliates others for sport. It has a way of expressing itself at the most inappropriate times. For example, one outburst of anger can turn a pleasant family drive to church into one full of fear and intimidation.
Work environments build walls of distrust because of seething, unresolved anger. Relationships never get beyond the surface because of the fear of anger’s rejection. No one wants to be around an angry person. The Bible even says, “Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy” (Proverbs 27:4). Where does anger come from? There are probably a variety of sources. One is the result of not being loved and/or not loving. When a heart is perpetually unloved, it has a void that is first influenced by, and then filled with anger. On the contrary, a heart full of love has no room for anger. Love melts anger the way the sun melts a milk chocolate bar at the beach. Cold anger is no match for the warm flames of love.
Love responds with understanding, instead of seeking to argue or defend itself. Love learns to forgive instead of storing up resentment when you have been deeply disappointed. Love moves on instead of seething in the stew of what should have happened. Love matures over mistakes made, while anger whines in immaturity. Furthermore, anger incubates in a hurting heart. A heart raw with emotion is a candidate for anger. Suffering may be hurting your heart and you can’t take it anymore. Your heart is crushed and wrung out by pain. You are extremely vulnerable to the influence of anger, so let the compassion of Christ heal your heart. Invite the Lord to love you, and process your pain in prayer. Listen intently to the Lord, for He really does care. He loves you right in the middle of your mess. Invite the love of Jesus to do surgery on your soul. After the Almighty has loved you, let others love you. Love is salve for your soul, as you need the love and prayers of people to help you process your anger.
Moreover, you may be the brunt of another’s angry outbursts, but do not take their anger personally. See that person as Jesus does and extend forgiveness. Anger may be the defense mechanism another uses to keep you at bay. But kill him or her with kindness instead. Initiate forgiveness seven times seventy, and pray for this person to be loved by God and by you. Anger is an ugly mask, so unveil it with acceptance. Anger is your excuse to love and accept, not fight and flee.
The Bible says, “A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control” (Proverbs 29:11).
Taken from October 10th reading in the 365-day devotional book, “Seeking Daily the Heart of God”… http://bit.ly/bQHNIE
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I enjoy each day’s message and find that it does address what I’m going through. Thank you!
But — in today’s wisdom hunters info on processing anger is the following statement: “Anger is your excuse to love and accept, not fight and flee.”
I’m thinking the statement is backwards and should read, “Anger is your excuse to fight and flee, not love and accept.”
or “Anger is your excuse to NOT love and accept, but to fight and flee.”
Your thoughts?
“seeking to argue or defend itself;seething in the stew of what should have happened; whines in immaturity; Suffering may be hurting your heart and you can’t take it anymore. Your heart is crushed and wrung out by pain”
“Sooooo not true”. It might be disrespectful to say, “All lies.” I know that people want to see this “mess” continue on and on and on with false accusations. I am not seeking to argue to defend myself. However, I am seeking the truth after hearing disturbing, maybe false information. For example, “he is now coming after you because you are a threat to him. He is living double lives.” What does this have to do with me? I don’t even see him. And that’s not my busy anyway. “Seething in stew of what should have happened.” The devil is a confusing liar. God has blessed me so with a bright future, and he has forgiven me for all of my mistakes and misunderstandings/miscommunications.
Yes, my heart is crushed. Because many people, people who are giants for Christ, filled with the wisdom and knowledge of God are trying to keep this mess going on and on and on and on, no solutions, no grown up face to face discussions. They would rather sit up and brainfully think up lies to keep me so called hurting, in pain, and focused on the past. Well, guess what, I have the peace of God. I am looking forward to God’s promised, getting better by the grace of God. And just enjoying God’s Word, His grace, and His mercy.
I love those who rejected me, didn’t want me around or whatever the case/reasons. But please believe me, my focuse is on other things: serving God, new beginnings, love, love, love, new friendships sent from God, possibly a refreshed brand new career, or a changed approach to an old career.
So do not try to imprison me with these false opinions. You do not hear what I hear or see what I see in the spirit.
This was so well written that the words of love and wisdom just leap off this page right down into my soul. I need this so much thank you!
God wants me to print out this message and practice it. Very appropriate for my circumstance today.
I think it depends on whose perspective you are interpreting it from. In the paragraph this is in, it talks about if you are the one receiving the anger, not venting it. So from that standpoint, it is an opportunity to love and accept the one that is angry. Often I want to fight and flee the one that is angry. I definitely need more strength from the Holy Spirit to love and accept this angry person!