Guiding Light!
Anger!
All of us experience it in our life in one way or another. It is a part of the sinful man and can only be controlled by God's grace. Here is what the Webster dictionary has to say about it; anger - A strong feeling of displeasure or hostility. Synonyms: anger, rage, fury, wrath, resentment, and indignation. These nouns denote varying degrees of marked displeasure. Anger, the most general, is strong displeasure. Rage and fury imply intense, explosive, often destructive emotion. Wrath applies especially to anger that seeks vengeance or punishment. Resentment refers to indignant smoldering anger generated by a sense of grievance. Indignation is righteous anger at something wrongful, unjust, or evil.
For man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. James 1:20
From the above scripture we see that there is no place in our life for anger or any of the neighbors of anger, that is if we are being obedient to God's calling. Obviously this is not yours or my desire to harbor anger in our heart because we have been redeemed by the Blood of Christ on Calvary. When we accepted God's forgiveness we are proclaiming we have turned over our life to Him and that we desire for Jesus to be the Lord of our life and that we will conscientiously make every effort to learn God's word and to put it into our daily life.
"In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. Ephesians 4:26-27
As we see anger is not the sin, it is what we do when we are angry. Do we lash out in rage, fury, wrath, resentment, or in indignation? Or do we go before God in prayer asking Him to change our heart towards the person we feel angry? Is God placing this person or situation in our life at that particular moment to test our faith? How are we doing? If we see the situation as a test, then we can make better choices because we know that God is in control and that He is attempting to grow us in our faith. Praise God that He cares enough for us to guide us along in our Spiritual path.
I can remember a time fairly recently that I was very frustrated and angry towards some particular people for a decision they made that I thought was totally wrong and inappropriate. I acted in a self righteous way and confronted them in a boastful manner, now was I acting as God would have me act? I think not! As I look back at the situation I can see how God was growing me in my trust and faith in Him. Even though I may still not agree with the decisions they made, they are our leaders and I am instructed to support them. I say I don't agree, see where it is? "I", what a fool I am. Father what do you want? I know you are in charge, I ask that you will help me to understand it more clearly and to accept your will and to be faithful to your will.
We cannot comprehend God's ways or His timing, we cannot even come close to understanding. The more I try the more I get confused. If God wanted me to understand, He would give me understanding. If I don't receive understanding on a particular matter then I am to be obedient by faith. In the above mentioned matter I have come to wait on God and accept His way. I am not sure why things happen the way they did because I cannot understand all of God's ways or plans. But I do accept them as God's calling and His divine direction. I also know the people that made the decision are men of integrity and that they did this from their heart sensing this was what God called them to do.
Let's not get caught up in matters that don't glorify God, let us be obedient to God instructions. A couple of weeks ago I was fretting about something, I am not even sure what it was now (so it wasn't very important). As I was standing out in the backyard late one night looking up at the stars, God spoke to me so clearly and so compassionately, "Kenny He said, keep the big picture in mind, 'Eternity', don't sweat the small stuff, keep eternity in mind." Why is it that we tend to complicate things up so much? This is not what God has in mind for us.
With this is mind let us come to our Heavenly Father in prayer, Father forgive me for the anger I harbored and forgive me for expressing that anger in an inappropriate way. Show me Father more clearly the unconditional love you have for us so that I may show it towards everyone else. Help me to see that these times are a time of growing in your grace for your eternal Kingdom. It is my desire Father to become more like Jesus, I am available to you today, to be used by you in any way you desire. Open my ears and my heart to hear your calling, give me the strength to know that you will provide all things that you call me to do. I thank you Heavenly Father for your forgiveness and your unconditional love you shower on me daily. It is in Jesus name we pray.........amen
In Christ's Service,
Kenny Millhouse
kenny@guidinglightministry.com
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