Wednesday, April 26, 2000

VERSE:

"In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.

-- Ephesians 4:26-27

http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?Ephesians+4:26-27

THOUGHT:

There they were asleep and then one woke up the other. The one awakened complained, the other, offended yelled at the complainer. Argument gone to anger. Then there are the children that do the silent treatment, followed by the other children that say, you're talking to me, all the while egging them on.

Of the Seven Deadly Sins, anger is possibly the most fun. To feel the rush of energy, the focus that grabs you, this feeling can be all consuming. To lick the wounds that have been caused to you, to think of the entrée that will be your next confrontation and to savor the dessert that is the pain you have been given as well as the pain you plan on giving back, is in many ways the feast of a king. Variety, quality, quantity, it is all there. The chief drawback is this, the feast you consume, is you. The meal is yourself, your soul. The skeleton at the fest is you.

Hear the Good News, As Jesus is a part of your life, He will relieve you of your anger, your pain and all those other things that get in the way of your relationship with Him and others. The only catch is this, you have to give it to Him. Moreover, it may be difficult, if your whole life has been spent at the same table, eating the same meal. But when you are ready, he takes you from that table to The Table and breaks Bread with us, changing our life. Allow him to do this, allow him to relieve you of your anger, your burdens and allow you to walk in the world with one less piece of baggage.

PRAYER:

Father in heaven, thank You for offering to me a new table, a table with real nourishment and real love. Enable me to give up the all consuming anger that is in my life. Help me to seek peace instead of pain. Relax my inner being with Your presence. Please, allow me to share Your peace and reconciliation with others. In the name of Jesus, my Lord, I pray. Amen.