Well are you? Is your job so important that your mind is
consumed by it? How many hours do you spend on your computer?
(I am just as guilty) Who is being neglected? Is God being
neglected? Is your spouse and children being neglected. How
about the dog? As Christians, the Lord wants us to have
healthy vessels, in order to serve Him better. We need to
evaluate our time management. We need to come home from the
office and put the work out of our minds. We need to turn
that television or computer off and spend time with the family.
Do not become overwhelmed with worry. God does NOT want you
to do that! Leave the worrying to Him, if anything. Do Not
Become Burnt Out!
ANGER
So, on to the wonderful topic of anger? Where does your anger stem from? Some type of abuse, whether sexual, physical, mental or all three? Or could it be a divorce you are experiencing, whether you are the one getting a divorce, or are a child that has physically grown up into an adult, but mentally and emotionally still carry the scars/guilt/pain of divorced parents so long ago, adultry, rejection, jelousy, bitterness, envy, resentment, pride, I can go on and on and on. The truth is...... anger not in its proper form, is destructive!! Until you get to the root of your anger, you will never be free from it. It will be there to haunt you. Believe you me, I still struggle with anger from time to time. I find myself at times still dealing with a lot of things from my past. Seek some good Christian counseling, besides the Great Counselor (God). There is nothing wrong with seeking help to talk things out. It does help. Grant it, it can be very painful, in fact some times extremely painful, but worth it in the end, if you are truly open to getting healed from the inside out!! Also, be transparent with God and tell Him exactly how you feel. He will NOT fall off His throne when He hears what you have to say! Click HERE for the greatest psychologist in the world!
I thank God that I am not where I once was, but am glad where I have come from.
I also try and reflect on what Jesus said, "Be angry, and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your wrath." Ephesians 4:26
Each day we all encounter frustrations in our lives that may bring about anger which may result in
things said that we should not have.
"But now you must also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy,
filthy language out of your mouth." Colossians 3:8
God knows our hearts He knows our hurts and He knows what it is
like to be human.
PATIENCE
Do you struggle with a lack of patience? I certainly do. Not one of my stronger points, but through patience you can learn a whole heck of a lot. That is if you are open and willing!
I found that meditating on the Word of God regarding patience
helps, so I would like to share with you some of the scripture
verses that I use.
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things
there is no law." Galatians 5:22
Pray for God to give you patience. Do not become impatient if
you find the results not happening right away, believe me I
am still working on it and most probably will be until my dying
day. But I am getting better. That is all God can ask of us
is that we do our best!
"Bear in mind that our Lord's patience means salvation..." 2Peter 3:15
How awesome that the Lord Jesus waits patiently for the last
sinner to repent.
"Knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect
and complete lacking nothing." James 1:34
That verse is my favorite in regards to patience.
OBEDIENCE
Listen to what God has to say to you and leap out with courage and obedience!
Leave all the consequences to Him. God will have to assume full responsibility
for the life that you commit to Him in obedience. Look
for evidence of God's presence, His power and the fruitfullness
of your obedience.
How to cultivate a Spirit of Detachment.
WHEN DISAPPOINTMENT STRIKES!
Don't be quick to judge the conduct of the person who has
disappointed you. You say "that is hard." Yes it is hard. But, before you make a decision, prayerfully seek God's
will. Trust God's guidance and what He says may not be to your liking, still
trust Him. He is always right! Respond in the manner that is best for the
other person without accusation, embarassment to the other person, and
do not seek revenge. Look for God's higher purpose in your life. Ask God, "What are
you teaching me?" "What are you doing in my life?" Make decisions based on
the Holy Spirit's guidance, not on your friends opinion. Do
exactly what God tells you to do. Anticipate a blessing from God in
your disappointments. God will always honor your proper response
to disappointment.
Angry and Impatient Words
Christiananty does not exclude one from the temptations of life. This area has become
a real stubbling block for me. I continue to work on it daily. Some days I am more
successful than others.
"Let all bitterness and indignation
and wrath (passion, rage, bad temper) and resentment (anger, animosity) and
quarreling (brawling, clamor, contention) and slander (evil-speaking, abusive or
blasphemous language) be banished from you, with all malice (spite, ill will, or
baseness of any kind.)" Ephesians 4:31
Which of the above, poses the biggest problem for you?
In my own case, I would have to say I still struggle with anger when injustice is done which
then leads me to judging and gossiping.
In the book of James, there is also a good word, "Understand this, my beloved brethren. Let every man be
quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to take offense and to get angry." James 1:19
Of these, the most important and often the hardest is being slow to speak. Once the venom
of our tongue begins to spew, other things spew along with it.
Hey, we are human, we do get upset. Try this, when you feel you are about to say something that
you know you may regret. Take a deep breath, shut your mouth for a minute (60 seconds), get control
of yourself and then go on with life. All along praying to the Lord to help you through this
problem area.
If the Lord can do miracles, He can do miracles for us. You and I do not have to struggle
with these problem areas of ours. We have the ability in the Holy Spirit to be adjustable
and adaptable. "Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be
willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Romans 12:16
