Thoughts for Today

Did you know that anger it is not necessarily a sin?? It is what we do with our anger that gets us into trouble. Ephesians 4:26 "Be angry and do not sin . . . " We are commanded not to let our anger continue into the future, into other relationships " . . . do not let the sun go down on your wrath . . . " and that anger gives the devil a wide open door to your life v. 27 " . . . nor give place to the devil." Yesterday in Sunday School we watched a video based on a book It Came From Within (can't remember the authors name but I am sure I will be reading it soon ;) and he had some pretty profound things to say about anger. It is a debt we feel is owed to us and chances are we can never collect from the person who has betrayed us, hurt us, belittled us, abused us etc., etc. We walk around with this accounting book full of debt (anger) looking for it to be paid up. So, we try to collect through others. (Have you ever gotten really really upset with someone and they are looking at you like "What did I do?" :) It can create destruction in our other relationships in our lives. All to collect on a debt that can never be paid, an account that can never be closed. But there is hope, there is a way. We can forgive! Yes, that's right forgive for those decade old hurts. The hurts brought from the past that are effecting our present and future. Ephesians 4:31-32 "Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you." UGH!! What a tough pill to swallow. You mean no one to pay me back, no one to tell me "I'm sorry", no one making amends. What about my debt book! The one I have been carrying for so long. The one that deserves to be closed. God says that it is more important to forgive then fairness or getting paid back. It doesn't seem fair and it sure doesn't seem easy. But, I have a perfect example of how it is suppose to work. God's Son Jesus showed us perfect forgiveness. Food for thought for today. At least for me anyway . . .