Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper— it only leads to harm. ~~Psalm 37:8 NLT
The Iceland volcano is spitting out ash 30,000 feet into the air. It has diverted lots of European travel plans. All travelers face the same predicament whether the travel is for business or pleasure. Millions of people lives have been affected by the eruption.
Sometimes I feel like my emotions stir around on the inside of me. Then when the right catalyst comes along, they spew out. It could be tears, anger, joy or even something I can't identify. But when the emotion of anger is there, it is like the volcano ready to explode.
But what comes out of me can be like the ash cloud over Europe. My emotional display impacts those who are in my life. It covers them up with a dark cloud and hinders their lives.
Ephesians 4:26 states, “don’t sin by letting anger control you" (NLT). We can fall into sin with anger. I have certainly been there. I have said hurtful words that I cant take back. I have made wrong decisions out of anger.
The key scripture this morning states that losing our temper leads to harm. Acting out in anger hurts others in our lives. Once it's out there, it cannot be taken back.
Just as there is not anyway to collect the debris from the volcano so people's lives can return to normal, once a hurtful action has been displayed, it cannot be taken back. Forgiven, yes. Undone, no.
Jesus felt every emotion we have. He's mastered his emotions instead of allowing his emotions to master him. Unlike the earth's eruptions, we can keep our emotions from exploding. We can exercise self-control.
Some self-control techniques I've learned to use are not responding to a situation until the emotions have had time to subside. This gives me time to think more clearly and rationally. Not having an immediate response also gives me more time to pray about the situation. Of course, not all circumstances allow for time. If possible, seeking godly counsel helps too.
We can control anger and not explode like a volcano. Or else we'll impact people's lives in a way that can lead to harm.
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1 gracious comments:
Shonda, I have to share something with you. I am not the personality type that immediately blows when I am angry but I simmer inside. Anyway, recently our women's ministry decided to have a shower for some women's shelter instead of having a mother/daughter banquet. That didn't set well with me. I stewed about it for two weeks now. Mad because I could not invite my unsaved neighbors because they would have to buy a baby gift let alone the price of the dinner. To say that I was "put out" would have been an understatement.
Yesterday morning I got up at 4:30 and went downstairs to read the Bible and pray. I confessed my anger towards this whole situation.
As I sat there, an idea came to my mind. Why not make a diaper cake and JUST GO to the shower. After confessing my anger, I felt clean and able to support the baby shower.
I bought all the things I need for the diaper cake (cost $54) and I am going to have the little girl that I "coach" on Wed nights help me put it together.
Not only did God clean up my insides, he gave me something to do with Nicole when she comes tonight after we do our Bible study, and I can take the huge gift that will show my support for the women's decision. PHEW! What a relief!
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