We start expressing anger very early in life. I think about the temper tantrums of youngsters. Some people find them comical. Some find them exasperating! And some think the solution is to leave them alone and let them get over it, hoping the house is still standing when they have finish. When a child grows up with his temper unchecked, he can inflict a lot of pain on himself and those he comes in contact with.
I had a temper as I grew up. It was difficult at times, especially when I was taunted by my siblings. I was fortunate to have caring parents help me control and understand my anger. I was also fortunate to have their example to live by. They nurtured much of my anger out of me in my early years. Growing up in a gentle atmosphere went a long way in teaching me to control my anger.
Eccl. 7:9 Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.
As I grew, the tantrums did continue, not as often, but still with an occasional explosion. Sometimes I thought my head would pop. I am thankful that objects received the brunt of my physical anger and not people. I now credit that to the Holy Spirit and my guardian angels for redirecting my wrath. However, anger spewed out of the mind and the mouth, which can be just as harmful.
Eph. 4:26,31"In your anger do not sin" : Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.....Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.
Showing anger as a child is not that abnormal. However, God has much to say about the role anger is to play in our lives. Becoming angry is not a sin. It is what we do with that anger that concerns God. Anger is a feeling. I have learned not to trust my feelings. God never meant for us to live by our feelings.
Matt. 4:4 Jesus answered, "It is written: `Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'
1Tim. 2:8 I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.
James 1:20 for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.
I always received His "Saving Grace," when I wasn't even looking for it. Thanks be to God for His grace and for changing me. Did it happen when I began to pray more intently? Or when I began to seek God and the Truths in His Word? It probably started there. "IN FAITH, HE..." revealed to me that I hurt Him when I react in anger to a situation instead of responding as Jesus would do. I still get quiet agitated and sometimes I do react in the flesh. God has a way of convicting my heart that it is up to me to apologize, no matter who is at fault. I humbly express, that will hopefully help me to allow God to complete that work in me soon.
Prov. 29:11 A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.
God wants us to love Him as unconditionally as He loves us. With the same love that took Jesus to the cross to die for our sins. God teaches us "Agape" love when we invite Him to live in us. It is a love so passionate, there is nothing to compare it to on this earth. When you become more concerned about how your actions hurt God and effect His Kingdom, than you are about how they effect you, you are getting there. You'll know it when you cry because you spoke ugly to someone or about someone, and your spirit is grieved. Godly control can check that anger, when you begin to care that unchecked anger causes anguish and harm not only to you and others, but to Him.
Prov. 8:17 I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.
If you have a hot temper, give Jesus a chance to change you. If you have a child with a hot temper, introduce that child to the life changing power of the Almighty God who created him or her. God loves us too much to leave us to our own devices, IF WE WILL SEEK HIM! Continuing in wrong thinking and willfulness, leads to death. We have a choice. We have to do our part! We do not have to live with the hurt and despair caused by angry feelings. His Peace and Joy are too wonderful to pass up.
Lord, you know my every thought. You know me better than I know myself. I thank you for caring so much that You want to change those things in me that do not honor You. I give You permission to mold me to be a person You can use in the Kingdom purpose. Thank you for that wonderful Peace that transends our thinking. Help me rest in Your Peace. Amen
- Phil. 1:6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day
- of Christ Jesus.
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©1998 reserved by Cherbear
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God Searches the Heart!
In giving my art talents to the Lord's service, one thing that has bothered me most is whether my motives are always as they should be. It is easy to think as the world does about the time and efforts I put into the work. It would be easier to see the rewards for my labor if everything were compensated by contract or a payment agreement. Create the work, receive a pay check. However, it does not necessarily work that way with God. He calls us to be humble in spirit keeping our hearts set on Him and His kingdom purpose. The rewards may not materialize in the time we would hope. This is where trust comes in; Trust in God to use the work to benefit others and leave everything else to His perfect timing. He supplies every need and enables us to do what He calls us to do. If something we think is a need is not supplied, we must understand, in God's eyes and All Knowing wisdom we were mistaken and the need was merely a want or a desire. This has probably been my biggest struggle.
"And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. 1Chronicles 28:9
Knowing God does search my heart is a comfort to me. Keeping step with what I know to be God's will from His Word through prayer and experiencing His activity in my life is not particularly difficult from my heart or my spirit. It is my mind which is more apt to flip flop and struggle for understanding. I sometimes do that all familiar cry, "Why God? When God? What now God?"
The lamp of the LORD searches the spirit of a man; it searches out his inmost being. Proverbs 20:27
Loving God must be our first motive for how we live and what we do. Loving others must be our second. These are the commandments that fill all of the rest and keep our hearts connected to God's perfect will for our lives. This is a day by day commitment. A day by day heart inspection. God says if we inspect ourselves He won't have to correct us so often. If we seek Him, we will find Him and all that He has purposed for our lives will come into being, in His time.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these." Mark 12:30-31
"IN FAITH, HE..." comforts and strengthens me, and turns me back to right thinking. God's will, not "my wanter," is what really matters. God sees my needs and as long as my heart's motive is to seek His Will, He will provide all I need to accomplish His Purposes in His Ways. I need not concern myself with the reward.
And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will. Romans 8:27
Thank You, Lord Jesus, for all You have done and for all You will be doing in the future. Your love never changes! You have my future secure in Your hands. Make me a blessing to others. Guide and direct me through Your perfect plan for my life, one day at a time. Amen
©1998 reserved by Cherbear