Regret. Anger, Sorrow.
Bedfellows I do not choose
Yet they come upon me like
Constant Companions
Hiding for a season, then
Popping their ugly heads up again
When I least expect their arrival
Will I choose Life, Calm, Joy?
As I continue my journey and
Theirs comes to an end
Or, will I ignore, pretend
I am okay—hoping
Regret. Anger, Sorrow
Ride away on the next wave?
Not to surface for another season
Last evening in our writer’s group, we discussed many things. One issue that continued to pop up involved emotions in the media and in people groups in general. It seemed to us that many people harbored anger. Some were angry about the way a recent election turned out. Stories abound about robberies, bullying, abuse, suicide and homicides. Anger often stems from depression and negative thinking patterns.
The apostle Paul reminds us in Philippians 4 to, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Personally, I know I do not always follow this thinking pattern. I know I should pray to God about everything. Unfortunately, I don’t always pray first. Seems it’s much easier to worry and be in a complaining mode. It takes a conscious effort to think positively. Nothing is too difficult for him.
Accordingly to this verse, the rewards are huge. My heart and mind will be guarded in Christ Jesus. And peace will reign. Peace — the opposite of depression and anger. I can’t think of a more worthy or sought after reward, can you?
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“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” — Ephesians 4:32.
When someone wrongs me, the last thing I want to do is to forgive him and move on. If you’re like me, I want to think on it, mull it over, and play it again over and over in my head. When I rehearse the dirty details blow by blow, I notice I become angrier too. This isn’t how God desires me to act or think.
The Message reads, “Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.”
Ouch! The last thing on my mind are the words gentle and sensitive. Forgive quickly? Not my style. Forgive thoroughly? Seriously — this is a suggestion, right? Wrong.
The reason for this tough assignment … God forgave me. Not just once, but over and over and over again. He continues to forgive me and take me back under his wings of love and protection.
How can I do any less for those who harm or hurt me intentionally or unintentionally?
Thank you, God, for forgiving me too many times to count. With your help and strength, I can forgive any wrong inflicted upon me.
Is there someone you harbor a grudge against? When you hear their voice or see them, does it bring up bitter feelings? Can you step back and remember the times God forgave you? Take time to thank God today for forgiving you. Ask him to give you the strength and the desire to forgive that person who wronged you.
“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer” (Psalm 19:14/KJV).
Ever want to say something so badly that you almost need to bite your tongue in order for the words not to spew out uncontrollably? I have. In fact it happened yesterday. I wanted to verbalize a few choice words so much that I obsessed over just the right presentation and choice of words. I rehearsed them over and over again in my mind to make sure I got it right the first time. Yet when I saw this person, I froze. I chose to clam up and say as few words as possible in order to maintain peace.
This morning, I second guessed my actions of not telling the person what I thought of their past behavior. Was I right or was I wrong not to speak? I came to the conclusion (after a discussion with my husband) that yesterday was not the proper venue to verbalize my disappointments. There may come a time in the future where I can sit down with the individual and speak the truth in a loving manner.
In Jesus’ short time on earth, there were plenty of times he chose not to speak when he had every justification to defend his actions. Yet, he chose to be silent. David’s words in the 19th Psalm came to mind as I pen these thoughts. Before I go spewing my anger out on others, I need to be sure those words are appropriate and acceptable in God’s sight. It’s not just about me.
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