Anger Gets You No Where

 

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. James 1:19-20 NIV Bible Gateway

  

Recently I was enjoying a quiet day, gentle breeze and my iced latte at an outdoor coffee shop/nursery  when a very angry lady came in the gate ranting and screaming to someone on her phone. At first I thought she had mental disorder then realized she was just livid over something. 

It brought to mind the way people should be treated in general. Even when taking a stand in society against moral failure your letter to the government official  or whomever it is addressed to should not be full of anger and hatred or even preaching for that matter but should be attempting to make logical sensible points. 

If it is about a moral thing, only the righteous Bible believers will be understanding things. Not every ‘church goer’ thinks everything is sinful. Point being is to be kind and not raging. Even offer to pray for the person. 

PRAYER: Lord your love for mankind amazes me even nowadays when people are trying to be a girl when born a boy or do something clearly against the Word. Help me Lord just keep praying. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Just Be Nice....Try It!

And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32

 Most people can probably come up with a name or two of someone who has mistreated them, back stabbed them, betrayed them, called them ugly names. Sometimes it is hard to forget about it and anger and hurt wells up. You know in order to move on you have to let it go. There are a few people who have hurt me and mostly are not in my life anymore. Satan wants me to be angry back but that is not the right thing to do.

You are to trudge on, turn the other cheek, and not seek revenge. If it even crosses your mind to retaliate that is not from God.

So move on my friend. Pray for those who have hurt or misused you in any way. Above all show love.

PRAYER: Forgiveness is a trait I want to develop in all situations in my life. Help me to love regardless if someone loves me. In Jesus' name.Amen. 

Oh I Am So Angry!

          Because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.  James 1:20

Have you ever uttered those words from my title or thought them to yourself? People can be angry for a variety of reasons. Harboring  resentment from a divorce. Someone has hurt you for no apparent reason. You were wrongfully sued. Perhaps accused of something you never did. Issues from your past. Each person can probably give further examples. Still if anger is not dealt with and controlled, it can even lead to someone dying in worst case scenarios such as what we saw in Ferguson, Missouri or in domestic abuse cases that end in a murder.

Anger really is not the answer but forgiveness is.  The enemy wants fights, disputes, hatred, gossip, and hurt. God wants love, peace, kindness, and mercy. Maybe you think a person deserves something. Did JESUS deserve to be hung on a cross? Anger can also lead to a life of bitterness. If bitterness is in your heart it is hard to have love at the same time. Whatever it is someone did to you, let it go, move on. Ask God to help you to forgive as that is the ultimate goal, not harboring hatred. 

What do you need to do to let God's love fully envelope you and allow you to forgive? That is a question only you can answer. You know that is what God wants  for you and those around you. 

PRAYER: Lord you are good and your mercies endure forever. I choose to not harbor resentment against anyone who has ever hurt or wronged me. It does no good and only allows me to not really truly love like you want us to love. Give me strength to do this. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

Anger Breaks Things

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32

I am sure we have all been in situations where our anger could boil over if we did not get control over it. When we are the recipient of someone’s anger that too is a time to exercise self control as to stop the fuse from lighting even more. 

Emotions are an area of life where we have to make up our mind we will learn when to respond and when to just be quiet. Sometimes the less said the better. If you are a person with anger issues try to be kind no matter what. No one has the right to tear someone to shreds with words. If you have been guilty of doing this say to a friend or a spouse(ouch) by all means go apologize and seek forgiveness and mend the relationship now before it festers to something worse.

There are those folks who are able to handle this area of life with no problem as they are by nature gentle and kind souls but others because of what ever issues grating on them can explode and be unkind for no reason. Jesus wants us to show love and be at peace.

Be able to forgive and not blame. Do not intentionally try to provoke anger or start a battle. Be calm and just ask God to help you if this is an area you are struggling with. If you are a victim of someone’s anger then pray for them. 

PRAYER: Love is the key to having a nice relationship no matter with friends, spouse, co workers or strangers. I know Lord anger is from the pit of hell and I do not want it in my life. Help me Lord to look for good things and treat all people kind. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

Why Be Angry?

 Because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James 1:20

 I have a dear friend who used to tell me to "blow it off" meaning basically to let something go. When you are agitated about something if you do not learn to release your anger, it can explode and become much worse. That is probably what we see on our nightly news when an angry person or crowd just could not and did not 'turn the other cheek' thus boiling over into confrontation and violence.

 Anger does not produce anything good. It destroys relationships, breaks things, hurts, and glorifies the enemy Satan. Sure people are going to be upset at times but it is how you deal with it that matters. Don't allow anger to send you over the edge.

 Ask God to help you maintain peace and joy when you really don't feel like it. You can master the anger monster.

PRAYER: Lord I love the feeling of peacefulness and do not like conflict. Give me strength when agitated to deal with it in a Christlike manner. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Peace With People

Peace I leave you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

Are you irritated in certain situations such as bad traffic, waiting in line, dealing with co workers or a boss, a slow waitress? If so then you know you need to probably work on developing a peaceful spirit and not one constantly agitated. People who are not peaceful can tend to easily explode and could make a scene. If you are a believer in Christ and want to attempt to live for Him and emulate Him around the clock then ask The Holy Spirit to indwell you and fill you with perfect peace.

When a person is less than peaceful they go through life always angry or upset. Things do not go their way and they 'pop a cork' so to speak. This then could escalate into a angry words, a physical confrontation and from there, who knows what. It is necessary to get a grip on being a peaceful person and being peaceful with others.

It is your choice. Peace or restlessness and worry. Only you can decide.

PRAYER: There have been times in my past Lord I acted less than peaceful. I choose to be peaceful and not allow the craziness of life to turn me into an upset person. Give me your strength. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Shhhh!

Because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James 1:20

I love the 4th of July. Freedom is special and I love to celebrate with friends, family, and fireworks. This year was very special enjoying the time out of town in a nearby city with my sister and brother in law. We had the perfect viewing location on a bluff overlooking where the fireworks would be shot off from. This space was "marked" by us for over four hours. During this time we had fun visiting with one another. About ten minutes before the show a very rude lady squeezed in and stood in front of us and tried to encourage her young daughter to do likewise. Frankly I was fearing for another kind of "fireworks" as we exchanged words, kind but firm.

After this "battle" I said "Becky, you know better. You write about love, peace, forgiveness and look at you." Granted this woman was wrong in what she did and taught her child a very poor lesson, but also I did not need to say a thing. Human anger is natural but has to be controlled. It is a common emotion to be upset when someone pushes themselves in front of you when you have done the right thing by coming early to secure a spot. All in all, it turned out okay and I was not about to let this woman ruin my otherwise perfect day. I came away and did what I needed to do "breathe out" like I had written on earlier in the week.

If you occasionally get angry or upset it is good to get it nipped in the bud and not let it boil over. Meditate on verses on peace and love and let God transform your heart to be like His. And to remember that God wants you to love all people and pray for them.

PRAYER: Thank you Lord for loving me warts and all. Every day are new challenges for striving to walk in your footsteps. Convict me when I get out of line. I choose peace. In Jesus' name. Amen.

BAD JUNK

Do you often worry? Are you jealous? Do you feel anger or resentment? How about bitterness? Do you judge others? Do you often get your feelings hurt?  Maybe it is time to "put to death" the bad junk in your life and embrace the good side of life. The enemy, Satan, wants us to be all caught up with negative thinking and  negative emotions. How can  we possibly praise and glorfiy God when our hearts and minds are focused on bad junk? 

Put off and put on is what you have to do. Similar to dressing each day and undressing at end of day you put on and take off. As comedian Kevin Nealon so aptly put it in a comedy sketch "Harness the good, release the bad." Not bad advice from a secular comic. 

     Colossians 3:8-10(NIV) says  'But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.' Take off all that "bad junk" and replace it with godly things.

PRAYER: Today I choose to put on good things in my life and get rid and take off those things that keep me apart from you. Things like talking hateful, judging, condemnation and rudeness or gossip. Help me Lord as I seek to "dress" daily for you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

BE NICE REGARDLESS

 There is a Bible verse I love and try to live by with God's help and
that is James 1:20(NIV) and it says 'because human anger does not
produce the righteousness God desires.' Isn't that the truth? My next
favorite one is Proverbs 15:1(NIV) which says 'A gentle answer turns
away wrath but a harsh word stirs up anger.'

Satan is the great divider. He loves causing strife, bitterness,
confusion, misunderstandings, conceit, verbal fights, and physical
fights in all sorts of relationships. If true followers of Christ
really practiced what the Bible said there would be allot fewer
lawsuits, divorces, sibling fights, family divisions, problems at
work, hurt feelings, misunderstandings and marital spats.

If you know how to respond to harsh words or treatment then do it
regardless. Be the "bigger person" and show God's love to mean
spirited people. Try your best to pray for them.

Luke 6:28(NIV) says 'bless those who curse you, pray for those who
mistreat you.' That might seem like a "tall order" when you are
really hurt inside. Think about Jesus up on that cross. He did not
deserve the horrible death he died but yet he said "Father forgive
them for they know not what they do."(Luke 23:34). Another verse I
love and it is good to "sear" into your brain is Romans 12:21(NIV)
which says 'Do not be overcome with evil but overcome evil with good.'

You may be a very compliant, controlled, gentle person and in your
good nature never get hurt or upset but for the rest of us out there
it is my prayer you will keep looking up to Jesus!

PRAYER: Help me Lord to hold my tongue when I would rather get into a
debate over something that is unnecessary. Help me Lord I need your
strength to imitate you. In Jesus' name. Amen

ANGRY? TRY PRAYING!

 

Do you have an anger problem or maybe simply just get upset every now and then? In today's world not just people can upset other people, but in the area where I reside, there is a military installation and the threat of furlough looms for many. This can create anger towards an out of control and abusive government with their priorities all out of whack. Whatever it is that may have you angry and you feel like you could scream, try praying instead. You will always get a better outcome if you pray first. Getting angry will not solve anything and it simply feeds the fire and could end up getting people hurt or in trouble.

The Bible says in James 1:20( NIV) 'human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.' If you live with or know someone who has an anger issue first pray for them. Often deep seated issues can cause flare ups. A truly angry individual may need counseling. Some of these issues may be from wounds of the past. Try to let go and let God as the familiar saying goes.

Think about the things people argue about. Sometimes they are quite minor and silly, yet flare up till they are out of control. Our enemy Satan loves to get "godly" people in a tizzy and get them fighting. Don't let arguments start in the first place.

Situations in life can stir up anxiety and fear but to take the next step and get upset is not the direction to head. John 14:27(NIV) is a verse I use a good deal in my writing and it would be an ideal one to commit to memory. It says '

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.' Indeed peace is what to seek in life. A calm from the storms of life. Turn to Jesus and let Him be your shepherd and guide you into peacefulness. PRAYER: Lord sometimes I may get mad about something but I know it does not bring glory to you. Help me to seek to turn to you when I am upset to calm my heart and to turn anger over to you. Give me the ability to not overreact. In Jesus' name. Amen.

YET HE UTTERED NOT A WORD

Can you imagine yourself being yelled at, beaten, cursed, made fun of, blamed, and belittled but yet not opening up your mouth to defend yourself? Maybe some of these things have happened to you and your gut reaction initially is to rise up and say "stop it" These things and more happened to Jesus yet He was kind, gentle, and merciful and he "opened not his mouth" scripture says. Isaiah 53:7(NIV) says '

He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.' Imagine having this happen to you and naturally you want to scream and fight back. As a believer we are supposed to try as best we can, with the Holy Spirit's help, to be like Him in all our ways, to include reacting to people. If you "pop a cork" so to speak, at the first conflict, say with a rude store clerk,you are not glorifying God very well are you? Matthew 27:12(NIV) further says 'when he was accused by the chief priests and elders he gave no answer.' Silence is golden especially in times when our human nature could start a doozy of a argument. 1 Peter 2:23(NIV) also says 'when they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate, when he suffered he made no threats. Instead he entrusted himself to He who judges justly. ' James 1:19(ESV) is a good verse to "sear" into your brain and be able to pull up when you are tested. It simply says 'Know this my beloved brothers, let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger.'  Put this verse into practice both inside and outside your home. Many times in scripture there are references to speaking and being foolish when we do not think before opening our mouth. The gift of self control comes into play in a huge way. Do you suppose you could control the urge to lash back when insults and the like were hurled at you? With God's help you can. PRAYER: It is my desire Lord to control my anger and what I say. Sometimes I may feel I deserve to have the last word and get back at someone for hurting me. I know Lord what is needed is prayer and self control. With your help I can be a witness even when I am put to the test. In Jesus' name. Amen. Click on link below to worship God in song. http://youtu.be/CqIA_l2ypkE

24 HOURS..THE WAITING GAME

Why is it many people hate to wait? We wait in line for tickets to a
movie. We have to wait for test results. If you live in a big city you
might have to wait on the bus, a cab, or the subway. We have to be

patient for many things in life. It is necessary to wait to build up

enough savings to buy a new car or a house. Being hasty or in a rush
often times can cause trouble. We have to wait as it is part of life.

Recently in my blogs I have dealt with words and our speech. In the
Bible there is much to be found about the result of speaking in haste
or with impatience. Proverbs 29:20(NIV) says 'Do you see a man who
speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than him.' No one I
know of likes to be called foolish or a fool. It is a derogatory term
yet here in the pages of scripture it says speaking in haste is
foolish! James 1:19(NIV) reminds us 'My dear brothers take note of
this. Let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get
angry.' Think about that for a moment. That anger needs to be tamed
to as it says in Ecclesiastes 7:9(NIV) 'Do not be quickly provoked in
your spirit as anger rests in the bosom of fools.' In Proverbs
14:29(NIV) it says 'A patient man has great understanding but a quick
tempered man displays folly.'

Have you ever been guilty at spewing forth words either face to face

or by email or texts that are not well thought out and can cause hurt,

misunderstanding or anger? It certainly is never intentional. We just

do not know how our words are going to be received. So this is where
today's title comes from. Recently a dear friend told me you should
wait at least 24 hours before sending a letter or an email as you may
not feel the same way tomorrow as when you wrote it therefore allowing
you time to process your emotions and have a calmer spirit. I think

that is excellent advice!

What about you? Are you impulsive and have you ever spewed a word or
two forth on email, snail mail, or a text then wish you hadn't? It
may be hard to wait but patience is one of the fruits of the spirit
mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23. Take a moment and read it.

Impulsive, hasty with words, a fool? Maybe it is time to really ask
God to help you control what you say and how you say it. In the
meantime why not work on showing love to all those you come in contact
with.

Psalm 19:14(NIV) 'Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my
heart be acceptable in your sight oh Lord my strength and my
redeemer.'

PRAYER: Lord I want to glorify and bring honor to you in all that I
say and do. Forgive me for the times I have been foolish with my words
and maybe hurt someone. Father it is my desire to let what comes from
my mouth be an example and not a hindrance. Help me Lord. In Jesus'
name. Amen.

FORGIVE....JUST DO IT!!

Valentine's Day is fast approaching. No matter whether you celebrate
this day or not, it is a day of red roses, chocolates, and hearts.
Basically a day for love. Why only have one day for love but why not
let love be your aim around the clock?

Valentine's Day puts undue pressure on young men who are not attached
because if they ask a girl out on that particular day she may get the
wrong message. Basically as my younger son used to call it years ago,
"Singles Awareness Day". Sort of catchy isn't it?

True love involves more than just being romantic. For a married couple
it is about commitment, trust, putting the other person first, and
learning to say you are sorry and ask forgiveness. The person who has
been hurt needs to show their love by not keeping a record of wrongs
as it says in 1 Corinthians 13:5, found in the infamous "love chapter"
in the Bible.

Forgiveness is a major part of loving someone. Learning to let go of
an irritation and forgive whether they asked or not. Unforgiveness
does nothing but drive people further apart and makes anger fester.
Not forgiving is our human side and it is what the devil wants. Now if
on the other hand someone is reading this who is being physically
harmed by a spouse or a date then you need to seek protection as the
individual may need help. Hopefully no one reading this fits that
category but if so get help not hurt.

Being unable to forgive breaks families apart, ends relationships of
friends, can have two adult siblings unable to communicate, and many
other things. Does not sound like a character trait for a believer to
possess now does it? It is so easy to be angry and want our way. That
is self just getting in the way.

Love is a great thing particularly when it is unselfish. That is what
it is about. Are you able to turn the other cheek, get on with life,
and show forgiveness? Are you able to pray for the person who hurt you
or maybe in worse case scenario, killed a family member? Wow that last
one is a biggie. Matthew 5:44(KJV) says 'But I say to you, love your
enemies and pray for those, who persecute you.'

Ephesians 4:32(NIV) says 'Be kind and compassionate to one another
forgiving one another just as Christ God forgave you.' I challenge
you today to make a list of anyone you are harboring something against
and pray and give that over to the Lord. If necessary pray for
restoration of a relationship when appropriate.

Is there a person in your life you need to forgive? Well then,go and just do it!

PRAYER: Lord Jesus it is through you that we are able to show grace,
mercy, and forgiveness to someone who may not deserve it. It is part

of what love is all about. Let me reach out to people with God's love
around the clock and not harbor things in my heart. In Jesus' name.
Amen.

Click on link below and worship the Lord:
Forgiveness by Matthew West
http://youtu.be/wz3tkHv5sbg

TURN THE OTHER CHEEK

Do you ever just feel like getting back at someone for how they treated

you? It could be a spouse, a friend, or someone else. Whatever and

whoever it is not God's plan to retaliate. Romans 12:17(NIV) says 'Do
not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the
eyes of everybody.' As spoken of yesterday we need to maintain peace

at all costs. But what about someone who said something about you that is not true or is spreading rumors? Don't you have the "right" then to get back?

The first human reaction to when someone hurts you is sadness,hurt, or the

need to say something back to them. Maybe you want to get your way or
the last word. That is not the wisest thing to do. The best way to

defuse an angry outburst or hurt feeling is to 'hold your tongue' and

try to get your emotions under control.

James 1:19(NLT) I often think would be an excellent verse for married
couples to say each and every day and to commit to memory. It simply
says 'Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be
quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.' Another
equally excellent scripture is found in Proverbs 15:1(NIV). It reads
as follows 'A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs
up anger.' Think on that one for a moment why don't you? How much
better to say nothing back than to get the "fire of anger" stoked up
and end up in a yelling match. 2 Corinthians 13:11(NASB) tells us
'Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be
like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with
you.' See there is that word again, "peace". Peace is not achieved by
bickering or belittling. It is achieved by "turning the other cheek".
Letting go of your right to get back basically. The turn the other
cheek thing is actually found in God's word in both Matthew 5:39 and
Luke 6:29. Why not take a moment to look them up.

There may have been moments when you just felt you could not contain
yourself over something someone said about you or to you. I recommend
going to Jesus in prayer and asking God to put love within your heart
for this person no matter the outcome. Keep trying to show God's love
in word and deed.

Matthew 5:44(NLT) says 'But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for
those who persecute you.' Leave the rest up to God.

PRAYER: Sometimes it seems it is easy to get angry at a person over
something that may be so silly. Help me Lord learn to walk away and
drop it and not cause a fight or a broken relationship. Give me
strength to walk away from potential situations Lord. Put your Spirit
within me. In Jesus' name. Amen.

ANGER? GIVE IT TO GOD!

Is something eating on you that you can not seem to let go of? In starting this new year out if you are harboring something in your heart against someone why not give it to God once and for all and attempt to make 2013 a year of new beginnings?

The Bible says in James 1:20(NIV) that 'the anger of man does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.'  Almost everyone gets angry but it is learning how to control that anger or to diffuse it altogether that is vitally important. If someone has hurt you, sometimes they may not even be aware of it, so you have the choice to just let it go or let it fester and tear you up inside. How can you be effective for the body of Christ  and shine the light and love of Jesus when you hold grudges or bitterness against someone? 

You must be consistent in pursuit of peace. In Psalm 34:14(NIV) we are told 'Turn from evil and do good. Seek peace and pursue it.'  To pursue means to continually go after without stopping. Make it a goal of life to be peaceful. In speaking with others it says in Proverbs 16:1(NIV) that 'a soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.' 

There may be people in your life who "push your buttons" so to speak. To continue to try to win a war of words is useless or to try to prove you are right. Just drop it! Be the bigger person. Sometimes it drives people nuts when you do not argue back. 

A real challenge for you is to not go to bed angry. Try to give up what it is that is making you mad. Good time to pray and read the word of God. Ephesians 4:26( NIV) reminds us 'in your anger do not sin and do not let the singe down while you are still angry.'  

There you have it. A new challenge for 2013 to stay upbeat and try to let your anger go. Try praying instead.

PRAYER:Lord,  I know anger is a normal emotion. Help me learn to control my anger if things start to upset and agitate me. I know I can not be a good witness if I am all tense inside and holding bitterness in my heart. Forgive me Lord. I choose to pursue peace and forgiveness in 2013. In Jesus' name. Amen. 

FORGETTING AN OFFENSE

Has something occurred in your life you can not seem to let go of and
it is driving a wedge of hurt or anger towards the offender? Maybe it
is a friend,a spouse, a girlfriend, a boyfriend, a family member, or a
co worker? Perhaps you think they were heartless and cruel and you

deserve to feel the way you do, but does harboring this anger or ill

feeling towards someone get you anywhere? The answer is NO!

So what do you do about it when you feel left out, hurt, betrayed, or
forgotten? Do you "pick the scab" so to speak causing you to feel
anger and be offended even more or do you do what God would want and
turn the other cheek and let it go? Maybe you have already said
something to the person or someone else and wish you had not. It is

never too late to start again and mend your heart and the

relationship. Maybe the other person is not even aware that they hurt

or offended you. It is always a good time to try again.

Taking offense against others is not a God given thing. This is not a
trait you should want to possess. It is easy to become offended and
consequently bitter as a result, when focused on yourself. Give up
your right to be angry or hostile. God does not want His children to
be bickering and having bad feelings about each other. Especially
married couples need to learn their spouses "love language" and need

to be willing to say they messed up and ask forgiveness. If your

spouse is unaware he or she hurt you then just drop it and move on as
to not keep the offense alive. We are supposed to be God's children
and act like Christ. Harboring a bad attitude or a grudge has you

working on Satan's team,not God's! (Note:If it is something deeper in
a marriage perhaps counseling should be sought).

What do you do if you are caught up in this trap Satan likes to lay
for Christians? You know you cannot very well focus on your "love
walk" and getting closer to God if bad feelings exist. Ephesians
4:31(NIV) says to 'Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger,
brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.' Try to let go
and let God do a work in your heart and life and do not always try to
win your battles.

PRAYER: Lord I love you and I do not want to break your heart by
harboring bad feelings in my heart towards those who might have hurt
me in some way. Help me start this new year making an effort with your
help to be different regardless of a situation around me. In Jesus'
name. Amen.

TESTING TESTING 1 2 3 4

Are there things in your life that test your patience? Most of us would answer yes. Check out lines that are too long when you are in a hurry. The Internet not coming on or working too slow. Your phone going dead. A slow elevator. Waiting for your order at a restaurant or waiting to be waited on. Tailgaters on the highway. Delayed or cancelled flights at the airport. Waiting for the train or subway. An important piece of mail to arrive. Results of medical tests. Waiting for an appointment in a waiting room. Trying to find someone to help you at your local big box store. A person who talks ugly to you or is mean. Traffic jams or traffic going too slow for your liking. Waiting for it to be morning if you can not fall asleep at night. A flat tire or overheated engine. Perhaps a car that won't start in cold weather for my friends that live up north. Many things happen in life to test our ability to stay patient. Perhaps you were able to identify with one I listed above.

I heard a sermon once that said your 'test' might continue till you are able to master it with a Christian response and not one of anger. Anger does not achieve anything. It simply gets your blood pressure to raise and makes the recipient of your anger angry too. Hand gestures, flashing car lights, saying ugly words, and other ways to react against a person that has caused you to wait do no good. Responding with grace is the best solution.

First of all patience is one of the fruits of the spirit mentioned in the Bible in Galatians 5:22-23 when it says "And the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. Against such things there is no law."

Why not pick an area that you are weak in on the patience meter and try to work on having a godly response? Ask God to help you not be mad, mean, or revengeful and to react instead by being like Christ. Let's say Jesus were at a store and trying to find a clerk. Do you think he would yell and spout off and make a scene? Funny to imagine Jesus this way but I want to make a point. If we claim to know Him we are supposed to be trying to be like him. Anger directed at a clerk is not a good way to witness or show God's love.

Let me end with an awesome verse in James 1:19-20. It is one to memorize to help all your relationships. "This you know my beloved brethren, but let everyone be slow to speak, quick to listen, and slow to get angry.For the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. "

PRAYER: Lord I desire to not let things in this world upset me that I can do nothing about. Give me your strength to keep my mouth closed when I feel like reacting to a certain situation. I choose to try with your help Lord to remain with a peaceful spirit. In Jesus name. Amen.

DON'T BE UGLY BACK

Does anyone ever do something mean, disrespectful, or ugly to you and you say to yourself, "I'll show them!?"  Humanly people can really get to us if we let them. But the godly response to someone being mean or ugly is to turn the other cheek and not repay evil for evil. If more people did this there would be a lot less court battles today and fewer broken homes as well. As a believer we are supposed to be different and not be reacting to things like people in the world. You are to be an example for the kingdom no matter where you are.

You can let the most minor things start to get you mad if you let them.Let's say for instance that your husband or wife takes off an article of clothing and inconsiderately just throws it in the middle of the floor. You would think any grown person taught by a half way decent mom would know the socks and other articles of clothes do not go in the middle of the floor, right? You can treat the person like a child and say "pick that up now" , or  "I'm not the maid" or you can simply let it go, pray, and pick it up without saying anything or rubbing it in their face. Pretty hard to do perhaps with an adult that needs to know better. You have a choice to make. Keep the argument going by making an issue of it or just letting it go. I say choose to give it up and move on and pray. Give it to God. Only He can make the other person change. No amount of scolding or nagging will.

Whatever is going on with someone mistreating you sometimes you have to be the bigger more mature person and choose to give it up. You can keep beating this to death, so to speak ,or move on and go get your Bible and read and pray. Of course Satan would love you to keep stoking the flames of an argumentative spirit that wants to be in control and wants to have your own way and sort of be the 'winner' of the little battle.

 If the person being ugly is a spouse, first of all, shame on them, and if a Christian spouse that is worse. You may want to lash back, but for husbands and wives two verses are vitally important the first being Ephesians 4:26 which tells us "In your anger do not sin and do not let the sun go down while you are still angry." Now you may be staying up a while but it is better than sleeping on the seam of the mattress or leaving the room. Also in James 1:19 it gives a bit of wisdom good in marriages and all relationships as well and it says " My dear brothers and sisters,   take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak   and slow to become angry." This could apply while shopping if you get mad at an inconsiderate employee or even apply this at your own job.

For those of you applying this in a marriage situation and if you are a 'lone ranger' or in other words maybe the only one in the marriage who attempts to stay close to God  and  your spouse is still being ugly, restrain yourself from wanting to fight just pray to yourself instead and do not repay evil. This is in the Bible in both 1 Peter 3:9 and in Romans 12:17 where it tells us to not return evil. That is human nature to keep fighting and to get the last word but that kind of conduct does not please the Lord but Satan loves it.

So where are you today? Are you able to let things go and move on and move closer to God and away from this offense? I will leave you with this verse out of 1 Peter 3:11 which says " He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it."

PRAYER:Lord I confess to you I sometimes get upset when people are not acting nice and want to pay them back. I know for a believer that is not the correct response but it is to be kind and gracious and speak to others like I would want spoken to. Help me Lord as I seek to lead a life pleasing to you. In Jesus Name. Amen.



Let me leave you with a wonderful song of praise and worship to lift your spirits if you are feeling angry. Click on link below and worship the Lord.
http://youtu.be/Tg1erjHNfCE

WHAT ARE YOU MAD ABOUT?

There is a lot of stuff out there to cause us to become angry. Often times we feel we deserve have the right to lash back at the thing or person who caused our anger.but is that the best thing to do and does it really help? The answer to both is NO.

In James 1:20 it says "The anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God."
Humanly if someone has hurt or wronged you , you feel justified in lashing back. Usually this behavior will only fuel the fires of anger even more. For instance, in road rage, if a driver reacts with a ugly hand gesture out his car window the person may pursue him further and try to make it a physical brawl or bring out a weapon.

If you are angry with your spouse someone has to end the battle. Don't try to always win. Just learn to pray and let things go. Ephesians 4:26 says " In your anger do not sin and do not let the sun go down while you are still angry." Good advice. Why is it necessary for people to fight anyway? Satan is the one who wants us to be in discord with one another. If you remember this in a little argument and could go to the Lord in prayer things would end quicker.

Crushed spirits take time to heal. If you are hurt by a loved one sometimes they may refuse to acknowledge this and you have to turn the situation over to the Lord. Do not allow things to fester and boil over thus turning into bitterness and resentment. Hebrews 12:5 says " see to it that no one comes short of the grace of God, that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled."  Lashing back with more inappropriate words digs your pit of anger even deeper. James 1:19 reminds us "My dear brothers take note of this, let everyone be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to become angry."

Let me end with this. Proverbs 16:32 says "Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city".

PRAYER: Help me Lord control the urge to spout off and get mad but instead help me develop patience and peace to those who may try to get me angry. I know anger does not glorify you and hurts my witness. Thank you Lord for your help. In Jesus name. Amen.

LITTLE MARY SUNSHINE OR OSCAR THE GROUCH??

When people talk about you would they tend to think of you more as a delightful joy to be around or a 'Little Mary (or Harry) Sunshine or a 'Oscar the Grouch' type constantly being ugly and temperamental? Ponder that for a while. Most of us probably think we are okay but is your demeanor reflective of joy, peace, happiness and love or criticism, judgment, evil and hatred? When people talk about you do you think it is in the positive or negative?

How do you respond to waiters, store clerks, telemarketers, and those that may rub you the wrong way? Do you spout off or do you stay under control treating all people with respect? Do you speak to your spouse the same way you did when you were dating or treat them ugly and vindictive? On the road driving, do you cut people off and angrily look out the window at them as you pass by?When things do not go your way do you respond with grace or do you lose control? It is clear that as a believer we need to have our emotions under control and if the area of words and anger is a problem to ask God to help deliver you from bring mean and hurtful. When you speak to someone it should be with kindness and love. It is so easy to get in an argument. It is a bigger person who finds a way to walk away and stop it . Proverbs 16:32 says "Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city." James 1:20 says "Man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires."

 We are to be Christlike and to do that we need to be trying to show Christlike qualities. These would be love, caring, sharing, selflessness, humility, joy, and forgiveness to name a few. Does your life reflect these both out in the 'marketplace' and in your own home? We are to treat members of our own family as better than outside world but the stories you hear often on the news of family violence do not reflect this. In Psalm 101:2 it says "I will behave myself wisely in a perfect way. O when wilt thou come unto me? I will walk within my house with a perfect heart."

James 1:19 could apply to all of life and communication but I have mentioned before it is a good one for newlyweds to commit to memory and live by. It says "My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry". Ephesians 4:29 says " Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Proverbs 17:1 says "Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife."

So whether you are out in the community, at work or especially at home  you need to tame the anger and the tongue. Make believe you are Jesus and let's say a clerk is rude to you. The saying 'What Would Jesus Do' is a good one to really ponder. What would he do? Try to be like Little Mary Sunshine and let the Oscar the Grouch personality have a rest.

Proverbs 12:16 says "A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult ".

PRAYER: Father it is my desire to treat all people with kindness, love, and respect. Show me where I need work in this area. Help me when I feel like getting mad to stop and pray. Forgive me if I have ever hurt anyone by my words or actions. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Click on link below and enjoy a worship song.
http://youtu.be/uor3TPX0of8