Shift from 'Anger & Offense' to 'Focusing on the Lord & Helping & Forgiving' (10.7.21)

In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go

down while you are still angry

- EPHESIANS 4:26

Anger. It’s showing up everywhere. In all kinds of situations, all kinds of people.

To say we’ve become an easily-offended society understates the issue. We are living in an atmosphere where we would rather focus on the speck in someone else’s eye than deal with our own planks. I ask you, isn't there a better way?

Even when anger is justified, we are warned not to let the sun go down on our wrath. It is important to deal with anger when the first hint of resentment makes its way to our consciousness. Recently someone reneged on a major commitment to me. At first, I was stunned, then as the reality began to sink in, I found myself replaying the consequences in my mind.

The offense started to take hold.

I knew if I didn’t deal with it right then, the negativity would grow into full blown anger.

I had a choice: continue to stew about it, or replace the resentment with something better. I shifted my focus to the Lord, recalled Scripture, sang praises, and asked the Holy Spirit to remove the hardness that was calcificating on my heart and help me forgive.

The circumstance turned out better than I could have imagined. But the greater victory probably occurred in my heart, mind, spirit and soul. As I resisted the pull toward resentment and anger, the Lord was able to unearth areas in my own life that needed washing. He answered my prayers, I pleased Him because I went to Him in that moment and Our Lord made me a little more like Him along the way.

Every day we face life in a fallen world. When injustices erupt, we are called, as GOD’s Children, to deal with them in a righteous manner.

~ Prayer ~
Father,
Forgive me when I choose to let anger creep into my soul.
Please help me learn to deal with wrongs and injustices
      in the way you would want me to.
May I lay every offense before you.
And may I offer the same forgiveness to others,
     that I desire for myself, from You.
In the Name of Your Son, Jesus Christ,
Amen

 

Throughout the Day: When someone offends you this week, rather than dwelling on it, shift your focus to the Lord and ask Him for His Help in forgiving that person, mending your heart and #foreverShifting your mindset.