An Alternative to Anger
It is an honour for a man to cease from strife . . . (Proverbs 20:3)
One morning in Perth, Australia, Fionn Mulholland discovered his car was missing. That’s when he realized he had mistakenly parked in a restricted zone and his car had been towed away. After considering the situation—even the $600 towing and parking fine—Mulholland was frustrated, but he decided not to be angry with the person he would work with to retrieve his car. Instead of venting his feelings, Mulholland wrote a humorous poem about the situation and read it to the worker he met at the tow yard. The worker liked the poem, and a possible ugly confrontation never took place.
The book of Proverbs teaches, “It is an honour for a man to cease from strife” (20:3). Strife is that friction that either simmers under the surface or explodes in the open between people who disagree about something.
God has given us the resources to live peacefully with other people. His Word assures us that it’s possible to feel anger without letting it boil over into rage (Eph. 4:26). His Spirit enables us to override the sparks of fury that prompt us to do and say things to strike out at people who upset us. And God has given us His example to follow when we feel provoked (1 Peter 2:23). He is compassionate, gracious, and slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness (Ps. 86:15).
Dear God, Please help me to manage my anger in a way that does not lead me into sin. Give me self-control through the power of Your Holy Spirit. Amen.
Wow, when I read this my heart was convicted. I have moments and times when I have been quick to anger and or frustration. Help me Lord to show compassion, grace and to be slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. At times I have felt the way I was feeling was justified but it never is. We have been called to follow God’s example when we feel provoked. My prayer today is for Christ to give me self-control through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Proverbs 20:1-15
Don’t Give Up
And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. (Galatians 6:9)
I recently read. We often find ourselves determined to reach out and help someone we know who is in great need. But when we fail to see improvement right away, our resolve can weaken and we may eventually give up. We discover that what we hoped would be an immediate change has become an ongoing process.
The apostle Paul urges us to be patient in helping one another through the stumbles and struggles of life. When he writes, “Bear ye one another’s burdens” and so “fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2), he is comparing our task to the work, time, and waiting it takes for a farmer to see a harvest.
How long should we keep praying and reaching out to those we love? “Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (v. 9). How many times should we reach out? “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith” (v. 10).
The Lord encourages us today to trust Him, to remain faithful to others, to keep on praying, and to not give up!
Father in heaven, we ask for hope and perseverance to continue reaching out to others. Amen.
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Galatians 6:1-10
Letting Go
Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee. (Genesis 12:1)
For our wedding anniversary, my husband borrowed a tandem bike so we could enjoy a romantic adventure together. As we began to pedal on our way, I quickly realized that as the rider on the back my vision of the road ahead was eclipsed by my husband’s broad shoulders. Also, my handlebars were fixed; they didn’t affect the steering of our bike. Only the front handlebars determined our direction; mine served merely as support for my upper body. I had the choice to either be frustrated by my lack of control or to embrace the journey and trust Mike would guide us safely on our route.
When God asked Abram to leave his homeland and family, He didn’t offer much information concerning the destination. No geographic coordinates. No description of the new land or its natural resources. Not even an indication of how long it would take to get there. God simply gave the instruction to “go” to the land He would show him. Abram’s obedience to God’s instruction, despite lacking the details most humans crave, is credited to him as faith (Heb. 11:8).
If we find ourselves grappling with uncertainty or a lack of control in our lives, let’s seek to adopt Abram’s example of following and trusting God. The Lord will steer us well.
Help me, Lord, to trust You with the uncertainty in my life. Amen.
When I read this I felt the tandem bike was a great example of how we may feel at times in our walk with God but the choice to either be frustrated by our lack of control or to embrace the journey and trust He will guide us safely through life is key to having true peace. He will steer you well, trust Him to do so.
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Genesis 12:1-9
Seeking Hope This Easter
It was Mary Magdalene and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women that were with them, which told these things unto the apostles. And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not. Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass. (Luke 24:10-12)
What does it look like when you’re called to follow God, but life is still hard? This may be the theme of your day, your week, your month, or even your year. Life is painful and life is trying; however, when we understand the hope of the cross, we see that there is more to life than the things we’re feeling now.
In the days leading up to Easter, the disciples may have been unsure of what was coming, but they were sure of who they were following. They knew that Jesus was to fulfill all the things that He had told them, and so they held on to that, even to the point of His death on the cross. Christ was denied three times by one of His own. He was given over to His accusers, He was beaten and mocked, and He was hung on a cross to prove to the world that He is who He says He is. At that time, that truth didn’t ring through, because all we saw was the cross.
Sometimes, we see our sin and our human nature and don’t understand how a God who created everything we see, and everything we know, can love us still; we surely can’t understand how Jesus would willingly volunteer to take our place. However, that’s the beauty of that cross. That Jesus went, He died, and He promised that moment would not be the end. When we look at all that is revealed in scripture, we know that it cannot be the end.
Beloved, when we feel hopeless, we must remember the monumental truth from three days later – Jesus rose and is living. He never fails, He is always constant, and He is forever powerful. We are chosen because of the great love that God has for us; and that love will sustain us through our darkest days.
In your struggle, remember that God loves you. He knows your innermost failings and He sees through all of it; cling today to the hope that you have in Jesus. Amen.
This blessed me, I felt it needed to be shared with someone today. My prayer is that someone, somewhere, is blessed by this. Cling to the hope that you have in Jesus! Thank You Lord for speaking right to my heart. There is no one else like You!
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Luke 24:10-12
Tell God About It
Think you’ve had a bad day? The biblical character of Job had a Ph.D. in pain and loss. In the very first chapter of Job, after everything fell apart in his life, “Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped”(Job 1:20).
This may surprise you, but God can handle your anger and frustration. He can handle your emotions. Why? Because he gave them to you. You were made in the image of God, and he is an emotional God.
When your 2-year-old has a temper tantrum and beats on your knees, you can handle that. In the same way, God is bigger than your emotion, and it’s okay to tell him exactly how you feel. When you prayed for a promotion but it didn’t happen, when a loved one walks out of your life, when you get the dreaded call saying, “It’s cancer,” you can tell God, “I’m mad. I’m upset. I’m sick. I’m frustrated. I’m ticked off. I doubt.” God can handle your complaints, your questions, your fear, and your grief. God’s love for you is bigger than all of your emotions.
My kids know I love them. They know that I’ve been on this planet longer than they have and that I’ve had more experience than they have. But my children sometimes question my judgment. Can you believe that?
I’d rather have an honest, gut-level conversation with them than have them stuff their frustration and disappointment inside. God is the same way! He would rather have you wrestle with him in anger than walk away in detached apathy.
The right response to unexplained tragedy is not “grin and bear it.” Lamentations 2:19 says, “Arise, cry out in the night: in the beginning of the watches pour out thine heart like water before the face of the Lord . . .“
When I read this I felt I could personally relate to the feeling of “grin it and bear it” but God doesn’t want that for me or you. He wants honesty, He’s as real as the breath I breath, He’s as real as the person standing next to you. He already knows your hearts cry, your frustrations, your anger and He desires to spend time with you and hear from you, even if what you have to say to Him may not be so uplifting, talk to Him share with Him how your truly feeling and worship Him. Pour out your heart like water before the face of The Lord! He loves you more than you could ever imagine, even in those moments when your pouring out your heart to Him, He loves you.
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Lamentations 2:19
Sweet Scent
Author Rita Snowden tells a delightful story about visiting a small village in Dover, England. Sitting outside a café one afternoon enjoying a cup of tea, she became aware of a beautiful scent. Rita asked a waiter where it was coming from, and was told it was the people she could see passing by. Most of the villagers were employed at a nearby perfume factory. As they walked home, they carried the fragrance that permeated their clothes out into the street.
What a beautiful image of the Christian life! As the apostle Paul says, we are the aroma of Christ, spreading His fragrance everywhere (2 Cor. 2:15). Paul uses the image of a king returning from battle, his soldiers and captives in tow, wafting the smell of celebratory incense in the air, declaring the king’s greatness (v. 14).
We spread the aroma of Christ in two ways. First, through our words: telling others about the One who is beautiful. Second, through our lives: doing deeds of Christlike sacrifice (Eph. 5:1–2). While not everyone will appreciate the divine fragrance we share, it will bring life to many.
Rita Snowden caught a scent and was driven to seek its source. As we follow Jesus we too become permeated with His fragrance, and we carry His aroma into the streets through our words and deeds.
Lord Jesus, make us carriers and communicators of Your beauty to the people in our homes, offices, and neighborhoods. Amen.
We are the aroma of Christ to others. As we go through each day and walk this life may we permeate with His fragrance. When I recently read this it caused me to stop and ask myself, what am I communicating of Your beauty to those around me. It’s up to us to carry His aroma into the streets, our homes, offices, and neighborhoods, through our words and deeds and setting an example for others to follow. Look to Him! I never want my ways to cause someone else to stumble, we will be held accountable for all those we cause to stumble. But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak (1 Corinthians 8:9). No thing is worth missing heaven over. Let us permeate with His fragrance today and every day.
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is 2 Corinthians 2:14-16
Why Forgive?
Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. (Luke 23:34)
When a friend betrayed me, I knew I would need to forgive her, but I wasn’t sure that I could. Her words pierced deeply inside me, and I felt stunned with pain and anger. Although we talked about it and I told her I forgave her, for a long time whenever I’d see her I felt tinges of hurt, so I knew I still clung to some resentment. One day, however, God answered my prayers and gave me the ability to let go completely. I was finally free.
Forgiveness lies at the heart of the Christian faith, with our Savior extending forgiveness even when He was dying on the cross. Jesus loved those who had nailed Him there, uttering a prayer asking His Father to forgive them. He didn’t hang on to bitterness or anger, but showed grace and love to those who had wronged Him.
This is a fitting time to consider before the Lord any people we might need to forgive as we follow Jesus’s example in extending His love to those who hurt us. When we ask God through His Spirit to help us forgive, He will come to our aid—even if we take what we think is a long time to forgive. When we do, we are freed from the prison of unforgiveness.
Lord Jesus Christ, through Your grace and power as You dwell in me, help me to forgive, that Your love will set me free. Amen.
When I read this I felt I needed to share it with someone today. Hurt can linger, rob of blessings and hinder God’s plan for your life. Do not allow the enemy one more day of opportunity to rob you of what’s rightfully yours, freedom. Break the chains of unforgiveness today. God can and will free you from the prison of unforgiveness.
Forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Luke 23:32-34
A Heart of Compassion
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering. (Colossians 3:12)
Seven of us were attending a musical production at a crowded amusement park. Wanting to sit together, we tried to squeeze into one row. But as we did, a woman rushed between us. My wife mentioned to her that we wanted to stay together, but the woman quickly said, “Too bad,” as she and her two companions pushed on into the row.
As three of us sat one row behind the other four, my wife, Sue, noticed that the woman had an adult with her who appeared to have special needs. She had been trying to keep her little group together so she could take care of her friend. Suddenly, our irritation faded. Sue said, “Imagine how tough things are for her in a crowded place like this.” Yes, perhaps the woman did respond rudely. But we could respond with compassion rather than anger.
Wherever we go, we will encounter people who need compassion. Perhaps these words from the apostle Paul can help us view everyone around us in a different light—as people who need the gentle touch of grace. “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering” (Col. 3:12). He also suggests that we “Forbear one another, and forgive one another” (v. 13).
As we show compassion, we will be pointing others to the One who poured out His heart of grace and compassion on us.
Your compassions never fail, Father. May we mirror Your heart by showing compassion to others. Amen!
When I read this I reflected on the times past when showing the gentle touch of grace didn’t come so easy. My prayer today is that in those moments when someone may respond rudely may I in return respond with compassion rather than anger. Putting on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering. Let’s strive to be a light in this dark world. Help me Lord, today, to have a heart of compassion.
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Colossians 3:12-17
Look To The Rock
Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the Lord: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged. (Isaiah 51:1)
Each of us has someone on whom we can depend, someone who is our ROCK! But the simple truth is, at some point in time, our human rock will fail us. Our only solid rock is Jesus.
We are told in Exodus 17 that when Moses smote the rock and water came forth, the Hebrew children drank “of that spiritual rock.” The Psalmist understood that the Lord is our only rock: For who is God save the LORD? Or who is a rock save our God?
If we fully depend on Him, Isaiah tells us in chapter 51:1, “Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the Lord: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn . . .”
Did you hear that? We are hewn from THE ROCK! We are literally carved out of God Himself! I know of no other rock we need! Do you?
When I read this I was instantly reminded of the scripture, From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. He is my rock! Christ The Solid Rock on which I stand all other ground is sinking sand. Amen!
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Psalm 61:2
A Place Called Home
They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. (John 17:16)
We live here, we walk here, we eat and drink here, but may we never call it home. The ground beneath our feet and sky above our heads are the scenery we enjoy momentarily, but they will pass away (Matthew 24:35).
Our family is more than people with the same last name (Mark 3:35), as believers we are united by blood, literally the shed blood of Jesus the risen Savior. We, the family, walk as sojourners (1 Peter 2:11), as travelers, loving and serving the people around us, all the while remembering we will one day be home. A home that has been prepared for us (John 14:3), where we will live in ever increasing joy.
Our lips will never again say, “It was fun while it lasted,” as the smile fades from our faces. In our home there is no sorrow, there is no disease, there is no end to joy (Revelation 21:4). In our home our treasure does not fail, there is no thief to steal, no moneybag to grow old (Luke 12:33). In your heart, and in your head, where is your treasure and your home? For “there will your heart be also.” (Luke 12:34).
Where is your home?
When I read this I couldn’t help but think of how easy it is in this life to get so caught up in life that we forget this isn’t our home. May we take a moment today and ask ourselves this simple but powerful question, where is your home? We are but travelers passing through, what a reminder today. Let’s start this week out with joy in our hearts and peace in our mind knowing that all this is temporal and one day we will be home. Are you ready?
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading Is John 17:14-16