“IF we harden our hearts in ANY hatred, we distance the love of ANY who come near – any loved one, even Jesus.
IF I entertain any anger of my wife, or my child, or my parents, or my boss, or my brothers or sisters or friends; I try to seek their forgiveness and forgive what I hate in their hatred.
Rather, I give my anger to God.
“Let’s talk about this, Lord. I have a complaint here. I am probably wrong, but You will have to tell me how.”
I rant and I rave in person-to-Person prayer, releasing my anger to the healing of the Lord.
I try to stop long enough in silence to listen to His answer of love. I could never hate the Lord, but I sometimes hate that He does not answer.
Sometimes I hate His answer; but then… eventually I admit, I am wrong… and will learn to love His answer. That is hard… but a softening of my heart is necessary to prevent a hardening of the hearts of others.
ANGRY children of a loving God must bow down in humility to a loving Father who does discipline those He loves.
It would not do us well to provoke a loving God to anger.
There is no soundness in my flesh
Because of Your anger,
Nor any health in my bones
Because of my sin. – Psalm 38:3
Ephesians 4: 25 So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body.
Communication: person-to-person truthful relationship.
This reference is to real relationship between the brothers and sisters of Christ’s body, His church.
It is ALSO a person-to-Person relationship with Christ Jesus.
26 And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil.
31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.
32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
We spoke earlier of Ephesians 4:26 – Do NOT let the sun go down on your ANGER.
(A link to Christian Anger, in case you missed it.)
[To be continued…]
