Anger, Sin and Trouble
by Muriel Larson
**Do you sometimes experience a moment of anger when it all boils over… you explode with anger? http://marriageuncensoredtalk.com/love_busters/angry-outbursts/
Vesuvius? A coal mine blast? A Fourth of July finale? Nope, only Sarah blowing her top again! She’s angry and she’s letting everybody know it.
When Sarah was a little kid, she discovered that temper tantrums helped her get her own way – sometimes. So she’s been using the “little kid” approach ever since and still gets results with it. In the face of her anger, other people give in to her. She wins arguments but loses friends too! (And others like her may lose husbands, wives, or other relatives).
The worst thing about our losing our tempers is the things we do and say when we lose them. “In your anger do not sin,” says Ephesians 4:26. The trouble is that usually we do sin when we’re angry, don’t we? Scripture in Ephesians 4 also warns against the use of bad language, bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, abusiveness, and all kinds of malice. (This list brings the Greek words originally used down to terms we are familiar with). When we lose our tempers, somehow one or more of these things pop out, don’t they?
PUTTING THE NEW SELF IN CONTROL
The longer we have had a bad habit, the harder it is to overcome. However, Ephesians 4:22-24 tells Christians to “put off the old self,” and “put on the new self.”
When we allow the Holy Spirit to control our actions, we put the “new self” in control and get the victory even over life – long habits. But as long as we allow the old self to control our actions, we may find it difficult to overcome such things as temper tantrums, bad language, smoking, drinking, complaining, faultfinding, and stretching the truth.
This advice was given to persons who have received Jesus Christ as their Savior and have the Holy Spirit in them. In order to have this “new self” in the first place, we have to make sure that we have truly received Christ. To do that, read John 3 until it gets through to you, or check out on internet: http://www.journeyofjoy.com
BIBLICAL RESOURCES
Some people may solve the anger problem by “counting to ten.” For a Christian, however, an even better method is to send up a quick call to the Lord to help you control that temper. When you begin feeling as if you’re going to make like Vesuvius, ask the Lord right then to help you to be like Jesus and control yourself.
Ask the Lord to help you forgive everyone who has ever hurt you. Then with His help proceed to do it. In this way you can be delivered from the deep – down anger in your soul that may pour out upon others at the least provocation. See Ephesians 4:32.
James 4:7 says, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” Often things that make us angry are temptations from Satan. Whether temptation be from Satan or from our own worldly reaction, the solution is the same: “Come near to God, and he will come near to you” (James 4:8).
When we depend on God’s help, we gain victory over losing our tempers. Each victory draws us closer to gaining control over our tempers, our lips, and our actions. Christians who exhibit such control can be testimonies for Jesus Christ – and have much better relationships with other people!
~Father in Heaven,
Help me to allow Your Holy Spirit to work in my heart freeing me from the habits of my old life. Make me more like You, I pray in Jesus name, amen.
Questions: What is your first response when you become angry? What is the solution to angry reactions? How do we draw closer to God?
About the Author: http://talk.thelife.com/authors/muriel-larson/
dianne
i am praying for your friend bill
sharon
carla and hiliary i am praying for you both
sharon
you are right we are never alone He is always with us.
sharon
Carla, I am just going to come and sit still with you in the Mighty Spirit of the Lord. Lord, you see everything under the sun and things within our own personal marrow that we cannot not even see let alone the most powerfull Medical Machines known to man.
Father, Carla and Hilary need guidance and this is how you teach us every step of the way. Power of a Praying Woman, or a Desperate Woman you love as then we need you to intervene when we are totally broken without even a ray of hope. Father, Carla, is a gentle woman who is before you and a heart of needed direction. Lord, we need to put our shoes of peace on…we can now begin to walk in faith…your truth is set before us even though we cannot see your plan of wisdom..however, we will know in our hearts your map. Let Carla get through this lane without looking or listening (helmet of salvation on=hope) to others or our hands getting ahead again. Fill Carla with joy…as that her only source of strength.
Prayers, in agreement with Fran for Angie and Ragon. We are NEVER…alone. Your presence and the angels of protection that you only, have appointed to take charge over any other power, not of you be gone in Jesus precious name! Lord, we thank you with gratefull hearts and gracefilled baskets of your Holy Spirit.
In Jesus name..ToniG and Carla
you guys please PRAY for me and hilary i need guidance
Fran..I love you!! In Jesus ToniG
Bill..Typo Toni…U turn…I pray for the elders, to come and see you and MAY THEY be BLESSED..upon the sight of you and your powerfull witness and words of Passion and Fire that they will find like the WISE MEN …a miracle.
In Jesus Holy Name!! ToniG
Bill,
I am TonG…along with Dianne, as we all glorify the Lord on here and from within our hearts. Bill, you are experiencing a Divine Appointment as you are in bed and though your flesh is weak and ill….YOU..have been healed by Jesus. The simple act of your response to Jesus, is hard for someone who is healthy. Your Spiritual inner man put goosebumps on me and the smile that we love Our Good Father.
The 3 taps and again…and again.we say ,”REJOICE!! BILL!” You are part of his kingdom and he tapped and chose you before your parents bore you. His hand touched you and your heart and he gave you strength to get on your knee’s but most important he let you make that, “CHOICE!” You did. Bill you heard, felt and saw in your sickness and fell to your knee’s. There are people even in church today that may be kneeling but still don’t know who too. I keep them in prayer, as we have all been there and then the Lord shows up and you know you have been touched and safe for eternity and see so clear with spiritual eyes.
Bill, I do not know what the Lord has planned for you but…it is something that belongs to him and he will LET you know. Sitting still, and waiting in that room we had in a devotional last week,..was one of what I always call the Divine Appointment and you met yours and received the Divine Annointment, of The Holy Spirit. You, Bill are whole and present within the arms of God. I pray for the elders, to come see you and may they be blessed upon the sight of your witness and your words of passion as you are they see a miracle like the wise men.
Your friend Dianne, is my fellow Glory Girl, and she is such an awesome writer and devout woman of influence and faith. Hug her for me. Bill, now you keep us updated as I love the see the Balm applied and the healing results as the past and scars are removed. Bring it on Lord..!! Your Glory Father belongs t you and you only and let us reflect your Fatherly image!
Eternally yours, ToniG
Praise You, Lord Jesus, for the wonderful reports on Carla’s friend’s daughter, Ragon..and for Mom Angie..and that you are with both of them and will shelter and protect.. and Dianne ::}’s friend Bill whom we’ve been lifting before your Throneroom..Thank, you, Lord that you were there with him in an amazing way.. and gave him peace..And for the Elder whom you’ll make a way to visit Bill and be blessed, himself, in that process..We adore you and appreciate your amazing ways in this earthen life to touch, heal and take care of us.. Praising you This Lord’s Day for what you’ve done and will still do in both these situations… We come before you this day..hearts overflowing with Gratitude and Praise..Amen and Amen
This is an update on Bill:
Bill had a wonderful experience earlier this week; It began sometime after 5 am that day. He briefly woke up hearing his roomate leave for work at 5, then he fell back to sleep. A while later he woke up to feeling 3 taps on his shoulder. It was still dark, but he looked around the room and didn’t see anyone. He fell back to sleep again.
About 45 minutes later, he felt another 3 taps on his shoulder. Now he was scared and thought he was loosing his mind, but then he had the feeling of a “presence” in the room, and this presence gave him a feeling of peace, “like it was saying, ‘Everything is going to be alright,’” to him. He called it the Presence of God.
He got out of bed and got on his knees and prayed, and found that his prayers “were different than they’d ever been” before. Instead of praying for relief from the pain and nausea, for instance, he prayed for blessings and that good would come out of what he was going through, and that if he wasn’t going to receive those blessings himself, that God would pass those blessings on to others who needed them.
He has been praying in this new way ever since. The experience was a “shot in the arm for me” and he believes that whatever happens, he is going to be OK. He has “gotten used to” the nausea and it doesn’t bother him the way it did before.
Physically, he is worse that he has been so far. He had to get IV fluids for dehydration (blood pressure was 67/42)a few days ago because he “can’t keep anything down.” He also looks much worse. But he has had that experience and he is drawing a lot of encouragement from it.
The Elder has not visited yet. I found out that his job has been taking up almost all his time (he is an engineer and there are two big projects that have to be completed before the year is out). There has been a (second) time when he had a block of time to see Bill, but he couldn’t get through to him.
The Elder said he is going to try to see Bill today, so please keep praying!
Bill will be going back to the hospital for his “last round” of chemo tomorrow. He will be there into Friday.
I don’t know whether the Elder will be able to get in to see him in the hospital (cancer treatment can depress your immune system–although Bill’s hasn’t been severely affected so far) or not but I pray they meet soon (if it is God’s will)!
So ladies, please keep praying for Bill whether or not the Elder makes it. (I know the Elder still wants to, but he told me yesterday he was questioning whether the problem is really his tendency to procrastinate. Oh yeah, and the Elder told me that he’d had a similar experience to Bill’s when he was in the hospital following a severe automobile accident!) God is on the move, and I pray this doesn’t stop now :-}!
goodmorning to everyone thank you fran for the letter angie said the facility was nice ( cardnal glennan) she believes everything is going to be ok. Ragon told her mom she was sick, and she needed help i pray that you lord protect her from evil people. and lord please send her the best christian people you got put your loving arms around her so she wont be scarred. in JESUS NAME i pray amen. ill write back in a little while after i talk to Angie. thak you soooooooo much. cb
This email really caught my interest. Before my Mom passed away she and I was reliving some of the most memorable times in our lives and she said I was the only one of 5 children that had a temper when I was a baby. She said I would stand in my crib and pull my hair when I did not get the attention I wanted. I could not believe what she was telling me at the time since I do not have a temper now. Maybe I have just mellowed a lot in my older days. In fact the last time I can remember getting really upset was way back in the 60′s when I was going through a divorce and at that time I was mad at the world. One of my borther-in-laws was a Minister (he has since passed away)and he prayed with me and told me to turn everything over to God and that helped me more than anything.
I do have a son that is living with me since his wife passed away and he has a terrible temper and I mean terrible. I keep talking with him but he’s 45 and it seems like I am talking to the wall.
Thanks for your emails I read every one of them. God bless you and remember what the upcoming holiday means.
Carla,
Angie is so blessed to have a loving, prayerful friend like you! We’ll keep lifting them to the Throneroom! Bless you and them! (((Carla, and Angie and Ragon))) ..He’ll “listen”, too!xoxoxo
thank you fran so much i prayed also to the lord what you wrote god bless you and your family im so scared for both i couldnt leave my child i have called angie but no answer yet
Lord, please be with Ragon and her Mom in this situation..Illness is a scary time for a 9-year-old..Encircle her with your protective Angels, dear Father, and provide for this child and Mom in extraordinary ways..Make a way, Father, for the Mother to join the child..Luke 18:27..The things impossible with man are more than possible with you..Lord, guide the medical people to help this little girl and please manifest her healing Isaiah 53:5..Encoucrage this Mom, Father, and let her feel your presence in special ways at this time..You still part Red Seas for us all and we believe in a miracle for this little family…Thank YOU, Father..for holding them gently..We love you..Amen..
thank you
hay you guys my friends little girl has to go to Cardnal glennen hospital i am requesting prayer for angie and ragon, ragon is only 9 and she has to be by herself up there for 2 weeks they need to moniter her please lord give me the right thing to say and be a good listener LORD PLEASE HELP please everyone who reads this please pray
Hi Donna, Thank you, so much for agreeing in prayer. I don’t know where you live, but, I, am in Chicago and it is so cold..my bones are enjoying the snow! ouch!!!
You know Donna, I think I get angry over my aging process as I used to walk 4-5 miles in our local mall in the winter. Now, I have bronchial asthma, arthritis etc. and I always was so good a being healthy. Never smoked or drank but it is always something. The body does fade like the grass and I can’t wait to get our new ones.(((with wings)))
Are you in London or Australia? I hope it is somewhere warm. So, like God to bring someone along just when you think everyone is sleeping and snoring away. I should know better, as I fly all nighters to the Pacific and Atlantic. However, you stay awake when you are getting paid. Talk about anger issue’s…people can get snappy when they aren’t getting proper rest. OK…Donna..I might have to try and rest. I hope Amy comes back to know we are praying for her and if she doesn’t the Lord heard the prayers and in infinite wisdom will do what is best for all of us. Goodnight…In Jesus..as he counts us as sheep..and gives us sleep..ToniG
Amy,
Joining ToniG in prayer about your situation…May God pour His grace on you and yours. (((Amy)))
ToniG,
So sorry you are having trouble sleeping tonight..praying for you also dear sister….(((ToniG)))
Dear Amy, I finally had a chance to sit down and carefully read all the comments and prayer requests and praises. I just prayed over your situation. Amy, I do not know where you live or what your husband does, however, you why all these attacks. I can tell in your comment and prayer request and searching for answers of why? how? what next?
Your heart is in the right place of wanting to be a mom that stays home. That is precious and your hearts desire as we cannot retrieve those years when we are not with our children. You are not alone Amy. So many families are in arguments over finances that the pressure just causes the marriages made in heaven burst! Amy, the job situation and housing market is as we all know….needs prayer.
Amy,I just want to pray for you as I cannot sleep due to some of my arthritis pain. However, your writing just touched my heart as I was on-line writing I think when your were.
Lord, I come before you as I think you and I are up alone tonight. I pray for Amy, that she would find peace and fight the tears back as she is deeply grieved over her marriage and children. You see her heart’s desire and Lord we ask that if Amy has to work that you would bless her with something she could do from home. This, woman of excellence has a heart for you Lord and her family like you directed. I pray for her husband and the pressure as he is the Primary caretaker and the job market is scarce but you are the source of all things Lord. Please provide for this little family. Take away the spirits and thoughts of despair as with you Lord the battle for marriages is one the enemy started from the beginning with Adam and Eve. Blaming and hiding from truth from each other and you. I ask Lord, that you would take this couple and renew and restore their love for you and each other. Take them aside and pray with them and let them not grieve but find their joy in your strngth during these times. Give Amy, the arms and heart to hug her husband and reassure him of her love and support of prayer. Father, you are sovereign and know every hair on our head. I cannot help except through the Power of Prayer. I ask that in your mighty power you would open up different avenues of income and bless two people who love you dearly. Do not let them sin by blaming or accusing. Do not let the enemy entertain the minds that have been transformed into yours. In Jesus mighty name, we pray for Amy, her husband and the precious children. Father, so many of us are going through similar things and mostly finances. I, ask that you keep all your children close to you so that we can fix our eyes upon you and stay focused to not lose sight of how BIG of a GOD you are. I thank you Lord and continue to pray for all of us as when we are weak we are strong in you. Lord, I pray this in Jesus name..Love ToniG and Amy
miss amy what does your business consist of? do you help him in the businss too? look i am a beautian and some of my people went else where i was angry but i didnt give up it was just my people didnt come back im sorry for what is happening to yall but maybe god is wanting you guys to do something different there are more people who need yall more than you will ever know pray and i will pray and our believers will pray too that God the father will lead you in the rite way he alredy has it all planed out humble yourself and ask for help in all the right places just listen for his devine voice praise the lord because he is leading you rite now go be with god
miss mary i am very conserned i am a recovering addict and the one thing you should not do is give up on her no matter how old she is or what she has said the child is sick she has a desease and it will kill her if someone doesnt enerven with her her dad is the one to start does she live very far away? kids think they no it all but time is the cure and praying and believing and dont be distant from her i dont know hers or yalls situation but the lord does take the card, both of you call her start a prayer chain for her keep believing because this to shall pass. god bless you guys and everyone who helped me today it worked i love this site
Chris…You had a nice day just getting out. I had hot dogs yesterday…maybe 3. Chris, you know we wait to hear from you. I am happy you are home and resting. Jan. 4th we will mark down and you met a friend in Jesus! Chris, I wish that was me but we share on here. “Show kindness to all for some have entertained angels without knowing it,” that scriture is for you!!!
Ladies, I wrote a prayer on how sin walks in the door when we get angry..emotion. I also shared like Dianne, Like speeding to church and having a load of people going 20 miles under the speedlimit..blowing your horn and then while sitting in the parking lot to fix your hair…have them park right next to you? What an awfull feeling..I know.
Anyway, I think the enemy has been pushing my buttons as I had my whole prayer list on here and it erased..twice this week. Now, I am mad at the computer, but it powerless without me plugging it in. However, the Lord knows everything and why those prayers I left for everyone was just gone! He will answer….Nancy, display your hugs of love to those boy’s and pray for their father who may be filled with extra pressure at work or from within. I pray he is a Christian and you can approach him with your daughter and pray. I, learned this morning…early…ask the Lord to go with you when you ask. The temper and the tongue walk hand in hand and give the rest of it’s misery to a bitter heart. All Ladies of Faith say, “AMEN.”
both my father and my mother had bad tempers i try extra hard to keep anger in check do a lot of praying. my brother anbd i both faced a lot of anger from them
sharon
TONI R,
I HAVE HAD A VERY BUSY DAY TODAY. WENT TO HAVE A LUNG TEST DONE AT ONE OF THE HOSPITAL THAT MY DOCTORS ORDER LAST WEEK. IN TRYING TO FIND OUT WHY I AM NOT SLEEPING, HE THINKS IT COULD BE COPD. IN DOING THESE TEST, MY BLOOD OXYEN LEVEL WITH THE THING ON THE FINGER SHOWED I WAS USING 95% OF MY OXYGEN SO THAT IS GOOD. THE REST OF THE TEST WON’T BE READY FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS. IF THERE IS ANY PROBLEMS, MY DOCTOR WILL CALL ME IN BEFORE MY REGULER APPOINTMENT ON JAN. 4. EVEN DID BLOOD WORK WHICH INCLUDED BLOOD FROM THE MAIN ARTIRY IN THE WRIST TO SEE WHAT THE OXYGEN LEVELS WERE THERE.
WHEN I GOT BACK TO THE AREA WHERE I LIVE I WENT AND BOUGHT A HOT DOG AND FRIES FROM THE SHOP ACCROSS THE STREET, CAUSE I DIDN’T WANT TO COOK OR MAKE A SANDWICH. THEN AFTER LUNCH, I PROPLY FELL ASLEEP IN MY RECLINER. DIDN’T WAKE UP UNTIL. SHORTLY AFTER 5pm. I REALLY MUST OF BEEN TIRED. I HAD STOPPED BY THE DRUG SHOP AFTER THE TESTING FOR MY USUALLY PRESCRIPTIONS. I HAD REALLY NEEDED THE SLEEP TODAY.
LOVE TO ALL AND THANK YOU FOR WORRING ABOUT ME OH BY THE WAY ON MY WAY TO THE BUS STOP I WAS TALKING TO SOMEONE WHO ASKED ME IF SHE COULD PRAY FOR MY PAIN AND KNEE SO RIGHT THERE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SIDEWALK. SAID SHE WOULD KEEP ME ON HER PRAY LIST.
WILL THERE IS MY DAY IN THE NUT SHELL FOR TODAY
It takes time to realize that it is okay to be angry, as the devo says, but to sin not. I don’t usually lose my temper “out loud” very easily but it does happen once in a while. I’m the opposite…instead of letting things out I usually hold them in which is not good either. Or after I have let it build up then things come out and it’s anger talking, not the real me. I have been working on this and ask the Lord to help me. I do not like those feelings taking up space in my life and try to work through what matters and what doesn’t. Most of the time, in the end, the issues weren’t worth the stress anyway…only a small fraction are worth really dealing with.
The main thing is to not let anger build up within ourselves because it then becomes a stumbling block to us and over time if manifested long enough it will affect our health. I’ve been there before and it’s miserable. I look back now on a situation and thank the Lord for teaching me that life is so much better when you forgive and go on. We are to depend on Him and ask Him to help us work through whatever situations come. Being anger, bitter and harboring resentment is not worth missing heaven over. Again, it’s okay to be angry but to sin not. If you stay angry it grows into an ugly monster that’s hard to get rid of. We have to try and walk in the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, kindness and self-control. It’s not easy in the beginning but gets better in time. We are all a work in progress and the Lord knows that and He knows our hearts. Much love to all…we’re all in this things together (((SMILE)))!
I have a son-in-law who loses his temper with his sons. Please pray for him. His name is David. Thanks. God bless all you dear ladies.
Thankyou for the word today but I was wondering if it was possible that some of the deceases that some consider to be heridity (like cancer) was actually caused by anger in the soul?
is it
“Racheal” …. See, Toni!!!! :)
Dear Mary..
Sherry gave a beautiful followup comment..And we all lift you for Victory in this situation. Dianne :-} can tell you that some of the things they “say” and “do” are the strong chemical in them, used by the enemy, when they lash out..Your continued forgiveness and showing viable concern..as in a special card or however our Lord shows you to “reach out” ..will bring amazing results! I saw two of my beautiful loved ones set free from alcohol..As in the Evelyn Christiansen book above? He had to change ME…My sister told me shortly before her takeoff for Paradise..That she appreciated me not judging her, but understanding the source of the illness..and that it changed her..Alanon and open AA meetings help a lot..and help the loved ones understand..Dianne can tell you there are church-based versions of those, too. But, will say this? An open AA meeting I went to years and years ago..And hearing the recovering man’s poignant words and how much it hurt his heart that day in recovery..for the pain he caused his loved ones, and himself? The Lord opened my eyes that day to “understanding”..Praying He will guide you and those other precious children..Don’t despair..There’s an old Alanon and AA slogan about “getting off the Merry-go-Round”..and when we do, and reach out for help..Miracles unfold! HE will guide you..And anyone else reading today, but maybe not feeling led “to” comment..There “is” Godly help for this situation of alcohol and drug dependency..I urge you Glory girls to continue lifting Kori and Raheal, too..Let’s P.U.S.H. (Pray Until Something Happens)..For these and others..The prayers may be the greatest gifts we give this year..For us..and likely Ann Davis’ and Amy’s situation..Michelle..We may not be able to give the traditional gifts in our circumstances? But this “Gift of Prayer” and “Gift of Holy Spirit-Led Forgiveness and Understanding” is more important in lives than material gifts..He led my spirit to write that! Let’s “Keep Christmas”! Hallelujah!!!!!
Ladies!! Loved your comments so far!!! You’ve given me Holy Spirit Goosebumps..And the enemy is being sent fleeing..Amen!
Dr. Larson..thank you for letting your own guard down and sharing from your personal experiences that Carla will be helped! Also, Mary that just wrote above?..By all means send that card and “deflate” the enemy!! Muriel is right..The Golden Rule works and when undeserved kind treatment comes their way? It does cause them to pause and think! Carla believing with you, too, You’ll make it!!
Ann Davis, God bless you for your Spirit-filled words and “Word of Knowledge” for Chris..in agreement with you for a miracle there! Chris is so deserving and have been feeling a miracle on the way, too..Please do keep writing as His Spirit leads..You see He brought me, too! And, don’t you worry about length..We were blessed with every precious word you shared here today..
Toni..We love your Passion for Him and beautiful prayers..And? You need to be my editor!!… See all my typos and mistakes..Am grateful for every last one that reminds me of my “arriving” condition and that we can’t be perfect!!
June L..God bless you for your wisdom and sharing..and for your time with us realizing how busy it is for you with your new grandson..and your precious help towards that little family..helping with the baby..
.
Joyce..Sherry gave you a beautiful suggestion “Lord, Change ME”..is an amazing marriage changing book…Evelyn Chrisensen wrote another powerful one “What Happens When Women Pray”..And we “see” the results of that daily here at Truth Media blog!
Amy, He is “Jehoveh Jireh” and will amaze you in this special time in your family..Like Michelle shared yesterday? This is an opportunity for great things..and HE will reveal them, too..We went through…and still working through a mountain here..But the lessons learned..Powerful..and the Peace, Hope and Joy He brings to every day now..the results..Praying with and for you..
Dianne :-}! Am going to tell on myself to bring you a laugh! Our Lord “can” harnass the spirited..At 4 going on 5..We were living with My Mother’s Mom..Both these ladies were strong “Steel Magnolias” and Believers..For some “discipline” they’d deemed I needed? Decided I was just going to “run away from Home” where I’d be free of discipline!! I packed my little red wagon..and in their great wisdom, they lovingly helped me reminding me that they loved me and that was “why” they’d said “NO” strongly..My Grandma packed some postcards..and said “Let’s put stamps just in case”!! We packed a sandwich, etc..They hugged me at the door and told me should I change my mind, they’d love to have me stay!…Out the door I went and the wagon and I stayed out there for awhile..When I turned around, came back in, and went to my room muttering under my breath..They told me how glad they were to see me and that had changed my mind!! Am so glad they loved me enough to “discipline” and “harnass my anger”..And the Lord lovingly does that today, too! It takes an “act of our will” to put controll of that anger under his Lordship? But am finally getting it at almost 64..So? There’s hope ladies!!!
(Also? What’s your address, Dianne..That Finnish Christmas feast sounds wonderful!! :) )
Thank you, Muriel, for a much-needed Devotional..Especially at this beautiful season when the enemy so wants us to “not” Keep Christmas..but we will…being aware of his “ploys” and sending him fleeing back to where he belongs!
And Thank you Ladies for sharing and the growth we experience in HIM each day here..Love you girls!!!!
Mary I am certainly not an expert, but….. I would continue to send her your love. Alcohol is a drug and pollutes also stops the maturing process when one starts drinking. I am 53 and stopped drinking at age 33 but my maturity isn’t that of a 53 year old, I am still trying to catch up. So, there are just few problems here. Keep rpaying and loving her, those are the two most powerful things we have. Lord God, bless Mary and George today with wisdom, give them peace with the confusion, continue pressing in on this family Holy Spirit, don’t give them rest of your presence. Show them that they have a need for you in their lives and protect them Lord from all evil. In Jesus name.
Thought this was worth the read, particularly the scriptures. From truning Point ministries.
Evidence of Hope
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.
2 Corinthians 4:17
RECOMMENDED READING
2 Corinthians 4:7-18
If you have ever had to practice football twice a day in 100 degree heat, endure nine weeks of military basic training, or live with nausea for six weeks of chemotherapy, you were likely told, “Hang in there. You can do anything for a short period of time.” The difference between “temporary” and “permanent” can seem like the difference between life and death.
The apostle Paul knew the difference between the two. There were many occasions in his Christian life where he felt terrible, but he never lost heart (2 Corinthians 4:16). In fact, his favorite phrase was “but not”: Hard-pressed, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed (verses 8-9). Paul knew that every difficulty was temporary. Even if it lasted his whole life, he still saw it as temporary compared to the hope of eternity. If he ever lost hope, it was only for the moment. His permanent perspective was eternal hope in the goodness and purpose of God.
Have you learned to separate the temporary from the permanent in your life? That distinction is evidence that hope is alive and well.
Turning Point
The future is as bright as the promises of God.
Adoniram Judson
This is certainly a good topic. I have been blessed bascially throughout my life to be pretty easy going except for a few hundred instances – Ha!! I now try to remember when I am in moments of lashing out – this is my problem- not the person I am lashing out at. God wants me to reconcil my issues (deep within my spirit) that I have collected throughout life. Very hard to do when someone is yanking my chain. But through prayer and actually practice – sometimes when I want to “express my opinion” I just walk out of the room for a few minutes phycially or mentally and I try to look at that person as God sees them in all their frailities and humaness – JUST LIKE ME!!! It does work with practice – not always but now when I screw up I do apologise . I am only responsible for my behavoir not other peoples I am only called to love and accept them not judge. Which is so hard to do when you are hurt. But through practice and Asking God to help me in those times it is better.
ON the stepdaughter issue- deep in my heart I am being led to send my stepdaughter a Christimas Card. Her Dad and her are estranged right now – She came back into his life after 12 years Full of lots of bitterness and false info and no Spiritual guidance at all came from a party enviourment and all that goes with it she has told her dad (after we gave her a beautiful grad and set her up in an apartment – which we did from our heart and no regrets on that for sure – but for some reason -WE DO NOT KNOW WHY, ABSOLUTELY, – will not talk to her dad or I anymore told him Thank you very much for everything I dont need you – I only need my mom and sister – She also has a bad drinking problem and is only 18 yrs old. I feel to send her a card but could someone guide me on this. I do pray for her constantly and her sister and also her mom. could you please pray for them and us, Courtney, Caitlin and Deanna and thier Dad, My husband George. He is just devastated and hurt. Should I send a Card? I look forward to some answers on this. God Bless you all and I pray for you.
Mary
Dr. Muriel,
Great Advice! Praise is a wonderful remedy for everything. Amen
A Good Mornin to ye all. Anger is a weird thing, don’t we usually just want to be heard, really understood? That seems to be my thing. I realte to the fights in the a.m., that is when my Husband and I are most vulnerable to flying off the handle. When he says something that pushes my button, I now tell him I am not going to fight with you today, and I leave the area he is in. This hwlps him knock it off. Be careful of morning conversations at our house, money is a trigger, remodeling the bathroom another, just the room we are in together, yikes! Another thing I try is “breathing” breathing in the Holy Spirirt and breathing out the anger. One more thing, and this goes for the Step children deal, Carla I have been there and still there, is I pray “Lord change me” Evellyn Christensen, of christain Women United wrote a book called the same thing, get it! When we change the people around us change, amazing.
Carla, try with all your might to act like you don’t care if she hurts you, she knows your buttons. I used to have major anxiety attacks when the kids were coming. I feel for you and right now I am going to pray. Lord please give Carla PEACE, please thru the Holy Spirit remind her of being anxious for nothing, give her a montra tha will keep her confident and calm like “Fear not, I will never leave you or forsake you”. bring it to her mind. Please Lord guard her heart for it is the wellspring of life, remind her of your mighty armour she needs to adorn herself in, putting on Jesus our strong tower. And above all else Lord give her a new love for this hurting young women, huge discernment and wisdom. Thank you God for your mercy and grace. In the name above all names, JESUS
TO CARLA–
I saw your comment after you read my devotional, “Anger, Sin, and Trouble,” and since I am also an E-Mail counselor for the online publication that sends these devotionals, I thought I might be able to help you with your problem concerning your stepdaughter.
I understand what you are going through–for I have a similar problem with my older daughter. She has stabbed and hurt me quite often–and I never know when the next attack will come. Fortunately, I don’t have to live with her. My younger daughter is so kind, loving, and thoughtful to me though, and that’s a big comfort.
Sometimes after an attack, I wake up in the night and grieve over this situation and keep thinking of it.
Ah, I realized, this is my big mistake–the brooding! So now when her cruelty comes to my mind I draw a big X on it and start talking to my Lord and praising Him–and turn my mind to better things. So the next time she knifes you, just mentally pull the dagger out, and silently praise the Lord for His uplifting power.
And go on being nice to her and returning good for evil. It will keep you on the up side. Jesus said for us to love our enemies, to pray for them, and do good to them who despitefully use us. As you think of her or pray for her, consider this: what a miserable person my step-daughter must be with all that resentment and anger!
That will just give you the pity and spirit of love for you to pray in love and truth for her.
May the Lord bless you and lift you up, Carla. And feel free to write back to me. I care!
In Christ’s love, Dr. Muriel
Whoa! The last several paragraphs of this post, didn’t 8-O !
This included asking for some of you to share about times when you have successfully been angry and not sinned, big and small. I could use the examples :-}!
Hi ladies :-}. I am told that I was an “easy baby.” I am told that when I was a kid, I didn’t loose my temper when I got angry, I just stomped a foot once.
I am told I became “head-strong” when I was 4.
I remember an occasional huge temper tantrum, too (toward a babysitter, for instance).
I remember giving myself permission to slam doors and lose my temper when I turned 13 (because I was a teenager), and I did. I remember thinking I’d lost my excuse to have tantrums when I turned 20.
I had huge adolescent arguments with my dad from about 12 or 13 until about 17 or 18.
I remember thinking that there was something almost glamorous about having tantrums and having a quick temper—I have no idea why–and I thought everybody had them. I thought a “fiery” temper, along with green eyes and red hair (I am blond and grey-eyed)was somehow exotic.
I also thought that being mature/adult meant not feeling any feelings–being “flat” inside.
After a spell of almost never losing my temper in my early 20′s (which I felt good about), I started again having tantrums again. Most often, it is with my husband (unforgiveness)or in situations where I experience powerlessness over someone with authority (that includes even customer service people who don’t want to,or say they can’t, give me a break).
After 24 years of recovery, I still tend to stuff and stuff and then blow. I have recently had more and more situations where I have been arguing and have caught myself and backed off or let go right in the middle of a tirade, though, and it hasn’t been as hard to do as it used to be.
More often than I used to, I have also had that voice in the back of my head telling me that I don’t need to go there in the midst of things. I don’t always listen to it, but I am more aware more often, and I believe this is the Holy Spirit working with me, today.
Perhaps I now need to start working on the next step of “not going there” every time I become aware of not having to.
I am grateful for this changes creeping in :-}.
Part of my temper problem is physical. I have better control over my temper when I am on anti-depressant medication. I also have bad PMS(from 11-20 it was mostly physical, and after a miscarriage and D+C at 20, it became mostly emotional), and anti-depressants help me with that, too. Not, perfectly, but definitely better!
Almost every time I lose my temper, it is mid-cycle or just before I start; my husband has helped me to recognise this :-D! He pays closer attention to my cycles that I do!
Since my temper is tied so closely to my cycles,I am being warned that my peri-menopausal ride is probably going to be pretty rough, too. I hope not, because it is just beginning for me
JuneL..Welcome to typo’s, but, we all understand each other as we speak words of the Love we have for the Lord and with the boldness of His Holy Spirit!!! Ask Fran!! my editor!! Have a good day JuneL..ToniG
Sorry for not proof reading this….
My father had a bad temper and as a child I inherited it. As an adult I used it strongly until I became a believer in Jesus. Over time the desire to be all I could be for Him, soon released the desire in me to lose my temper. Yes, it took time and years, but the Lord helped me. I prayed fervently for His help,and He was faithful, as usual, to help me.
Chris, Joyce, and Carla, I am praying that you will seek the Lord’s help in prayer, as the author of this devotion suggests. Read this devotion over and over until it sinks in. It is no coincidence that the Lord led you here today. We are spiritual beings and must be spiritually fed. He has sent you “manna” from Heaven today. Let him feed you. He loves you and wants you to have better relationships with those you love.
Joyce, I had to rely on the Lord’s strenghth to forgive my husband of adultery. The Lord will help you with this. Many times I would fall to me knees when I didn’t know how to handle him and my feelings and simply say: “Lord, I don’t know what to do with him, and this situation but you do, please help us.” He has never let me down. We will celebrate 39 years of marriage in June.
Ladies, Jesus is your friend. Talk to Him in prayer just like you speak in comments here. You will receive help no one else can give. Praise Him!!
This song came to mind as I commented:
What a Friend WhWe Have in Jesus
What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer.
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry ev’rything to God in prayer.
Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness, take it to the Lord in prayer.
Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee? Take it to the Lord in prayer.
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee, thou wilt find a solace there.
I am headed to my bedroom to pour out my heart to my Savior over other needs, while on my knees. We don’t have to be on our knees for Him to hear us, but when time allows, it releases feelings, and power follows. Praise Him!!
Ladies, Praying you feel His “peace” as you take your “pain” to Him today!!
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Amy anytime a marriage is strong know that the enemy is going to do everything he can to destroy the unit. this is his assignemnt. Strong marriages raises up strong shildren. Once he theenemy breaks doen the walls of strngth, trust and positive things that a marriage should have it becomes a weak wall with a hole in it and everything it continusously hit upon it to tear the wall completely down. the enemy really doesn’t want our marriages, he wants our children and what the marriage produces….UNITY. I have taken so much believe me…and What keptd me always in place when I didn’t want to be was a still small crying voice saying so deep in my heart….”DAUGHTER, WHAT ABOUT THE CHILDREN.” “IF YOU WOUlD JUST STAY IN PLACE I PROMISE YOU I WILL PROTECT THE CHIDLREN. I KNEW THERE WAS A BIGGER PICtRE TO THE DESTRUCTION OTHER THAN MY MARRIAGE, It is so hard to stay in position or in place.
But I look at it all now at how the Lord is taking all of that brokenness and he is going to use it for his Glory and his Kingdom for the unchurched….the hurting and painful remnant that has been hurt with everything. Trust me, we have everything in our unit…..but the Lord has been so very good to us and has brought us out of it all. HALLELUJAH! I love you all and hold on and try to stay in position if the Lord tell you to.
MY COUNSEL SHALL STAND,
AND I WILL DO ALL MY PLEASURE,
INDEED I HAVE SPOKEN IT:
I WILL ALSO BRING IT TO PASS,
I HAVE PURPOSED IT:
I WILL ALSO DO IT.
ISAIAH 46:10,11
Carla, this is the known typo Queen of mistakes. I asked for your eyes to be open and I went back to read but this what came out. I know you are a Christian, as you know who is in charge. Please fogive me and put your daughter..not step..in place.
…Open the eyes of the heart to her daughter Lord and she would use the word step as an entrance into your message of salvation! Carla I pray this for your daughter.
Good Morning,
Carla, I am going to pray with you right now. Lord, I understand the whole stepchild relationship. Father, Carla and I come before your throne this early morning. May our prayer be a sweet smelling sacrifice in not only prayer but how we obey and display our image of you. I ask that Carla, can put aside any inner PAST arguments and go FORWARD in your, indwelling of the Holy Spirit. I ask that Carla’s heart burn with the candle of hope. You blessed us with that in yesterday’s devotional. Remind and abide in us the hope for the future from deep into our prayer chamber and marrow of the bones.
Lord, give Carla peace, as she goes and sit’s somewhere in her home, alone, to have stillness and be filled with from you and with you. Lord, I ask your presence, be felt as Carla. is the Bigger Person, even when her daughter comes walking in. Take away the word STEP! and let Carla and her daughter take baby steps together of love and faith. I pray Carla continue’s to pray the whole time and in her heart and ask you to be with her, to keep the fire of the burning bush within her. Jesus, TAKE THE WHEEL, Carla stay at your seat/post and fastened and buckled in truth. Let this 18 year old girl..honor and not be so angry and take it out on Carla. I, ask Lord, for you too pen Carla’s eyes to you Jesus. I ask that Carla take steps to want you as a personal saviour. We are powerless without you. We are POWERFULL, with you!! Carla, and Jesus..I am happy we can gather here an submit these angry and bitter harbored feelings. You adopted us and engrafted us into your kingdom. I am not your stepdaughter, I am your child!! We pray this in your mighty name Jesus!!!..Love Carla and Toni
Carla, I will be praying for you. You have so many resources to make her and you comfortable. I don’t know if she is a Christian but if she is sit and pray together to remove this hostility. If she is not you pray and act like Naomi…even in her loss she became bitter but the Lord removed that veil and so much redemption and love came forth. Ruth.was the daughter-in-law and she wanted what her mother-in-law had. Carla, with your heart open, ask the Lord,,,do not let anger walk through that door! Annoint and Appoint this Divine visit. If I was there I would start making gingersnaps or pumpkin pie as those are the fragrances that the flesh loves to smell. Let Carla feel welcome..remember you cannot do it without the Lord. You must cling to him and let the Holy Spirit indwell! Call upon him..sing in your heart..slow down and move peacefully as Jesus is with you. Love Toni..Keep us posted and I know even one small ray of hope during this visit can begin the eternal torch within all of your hearts for forgiveness and forgetting. Past belongs to Satan and the Present is with Jesus. Close..the door..to the enemy and open your heart with Love. We will al be praying for you and to lay aside the fleshly anger and root of biterness. Your sister in Jesus..Toni
Joy..Adultery is an ugly word in action. You are faith in action, as you did forgive, but did not, forget. My mom continued to go through this after my dad died. Joy, you take that past and crush it with you foot to remind you that action is what Jesus did for us at the cross and promised in Genesis. You said he forgot about it..! Let it go as words are cheap without the word of God…empty and a lie. I just told Carla to go sit and ask the Holy Spirit to give the strength and Joy as that is who you are..Joy!!! Father, I just ask that you take that pain of the past and let her come to you and tell her and teach her your ways. The way, of forgiveness, the pain of nails with you on the cross completed us. Paul, was out in the crowd that demanded and commanded your death. He might have been in the crowds that mocked and belittled you. The adultery, of Israel committed, when you gave them everything and they went after other God’s..PURE ADULTERY!! However, you have engrafted us into the fold and they were invited before us. You met Paul/Saul and you blinded him in darkness, as that is where he was, and did surgery within the eyes of his heart. Father, take the crust the scab off, no more secret bandaids that mask. Expose the healing and the light for an eternal goal and a daily praise if it is only one small thing. We are all gratefull, Lord and thank you this early morning. In Jesus name, we pray..Joy,Carla and Toni ..and Chris..where are you my sweet girl?
Chris you are up early and I hope you did get rest. Oh, yes..even not sleeping can make you angry as your body clock sets the alarm off at anything! Take this Lord into captivity.
After, I read this my son called to verify his visit with his wife next week. He, is a businessman, but still my little boy. I, said something and he took it somewhere else and out of nowhere he started on why we aren’t going there. They are coming to visit however, will spend Christmas at my daughter-in-laws mother’s home. We will be with my mom and brother in Ohio. I know he loves me and I stand on that firmly. Because, like Dorothy said,”There is no place like home.”
I love you Glory Girls saith Our Lord!!! His gentleness and longsuffering are good for the achy and broken bones of life. His Love and righteousness dwell from within. The goodness of the most powerful God..King of King..gives freely. The self-control, whether it be through, anger, alcohol, food, drugs, as the list goes on. Let your definition of true rest withinin give us peace, so that our souls can feel the burn. This will produce the tree that is rooted in Love and the growth of Joy as we are here on earth but for awhile. We perform not rituals or actions of deceit but we became your image..and we want others to look at us and say, “You look exactly like your Father!” AMEN!!! JESUS!!!
This really hit home today. Due to our business failing and my husband (and now me) not being able to secure a job, we are in deep financial trouble. I see myself becoming very resentful toward my husband for all of this, for the lack of security, taking me away from my young children to have to go back to work, to the tension in the house, to the bill collectors calling. Logically I know it is not his ‘fault’. We always said — Evil was attacking our finances because our marriage was SO strong and of God that Satan could never penetrate that. Well — he is now. I broke down yesterday. I did everything Eph. 4 says NOT to do. I yelled and belittled and just went off on my husband. I did finally calm down and truly asked for forgiveness, of both my husband and my Lord. I pray desperately to God for His devine protection right now, for myself and my family. I pray He enlist His angels to fight off Satan and his evil — I can’t believe the attacks we are getting.
Thank you so much for today’s devotioinal. It was perfectly on time. God Bless.
What a wonderful devotional. One, I believe will help us all. Anger is a good tool if we use it the right way. It will protect us from many things happening to us if used correctly., The key is not to sin with anger, meaning not to lose control or hold things in our heart that turn into bitterness that causes changes in our hearts, minds and bodies…most of all our souls. When we are hurt it is so very hard not to react or hold things in our hearts. Chris I was praying for you just yesterday and this devotional confirmed it. The Lord said to tell you, “there is someone or others that have injured you and hurt you so terribly that you have internaliaed the pain that has gone into unforgiveness and has affected your body chronically with Artheritis. Today, the Lord said to go back into your memeory and start forgiving those who have hurt you. Father, in the name of Jesus you told me to tell Chris this and I’ve obeyed your voice. Many are feeling her pain and we are interceding for her. As I was praying for her on yesterday you said with a small calm voice she can change the rememdy of so much pain…if she would just for give those who has tranpassed her and injured her. I know the pain and I already know what they have done to her, but I said in my word.
AND WHENEVER YOU STAND PRAYING, IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING AGAINST ANYONE, FORGIVE HIM, THAT YOUR FATHER IN HEAVEN MAY ALSO FORGIVE YOU YOUR TRESPASSES. MARK 11:25
Chris, please the Lord knows. Find it in yor heart to forgive the individual or individuals. As I was praying for you, I also realized I too still had it in my heart about a relative who injured me badly. I thought I had forgiven him, butthe ill feeling i felt about the thought indicated I still had unforgiveness im my heart. I began to pray. Anger roots betterness and brings so many other little relatives (spirits) with him. Chris have a good day and a better day. It may not leave right away, but with a ure heart of forgiveness it will leave.
As far as our husbands hurting us, what we need to stop doing when we get upset with them rightfully so sometimes…that we don’t pull up the sin or the very thing we said we forgive them for. We want to keep throwing it up in their faces about the painful event. If the Lord told you to stay with him and build your relationship then we need to stop repeating the event as it is repeated in our brain and build up the broken pieces, instead of repeatedly knocking it down.
The Lord gifted us women to be the builders of our homes and that includes our husband because this area he takes us back to
the motherhood inside of us. This teaches them and shows them we are trying to forgive.
This alone will keep your marriage under a strain. We are women and we want to keep reminding them of the pain. But when the Lord forgives us …he forgets and throws it into the lake of NOMORE!
SO TODAY, TO ALL OF YOU who are struggling in this area of forgiveness and is trying to build your relationship back……AND THIS IS HARD. SAY TODAY, I WILL NOT EVER BRING UP THE PAINFUL AREA (WHATEVER IT IS) TO MY HUSBAND AGAIN. WATCH THE HEALING PROCESS BEGIN WHEN YOU DO THIS…FOR YOU AS WELL AS HIM. IT CAN BE DONE.
We are apporaching a new year and we don’t want to take this over into the year with us. Let’s speak life in every dead place of our lives and move on to more important vital things the Lord want us to do here on this earth. I am so sorry this is so long, but this is a spirit that will keep us in bondage forever and ever and you are the only one who has the key to release yourself.
Father, release every chain off of your daughters right now in Jesus name. Amen!
I LOVE YOU LADIES.
REMEMBER: ANGER GOES INTO A TORMENTING SPIRIT FOR YOU AND OTHERS IF YOU ALLOW IT TO.
i need help i am in a turmoil when my step daughter is coming home it was yesterday i had a nervous breakdown and she isnt even here yet i got so angry then i tell my self well im going to be the bigger and better person so i do nice thing for her and she just hurts me tramemdously all over again she has doen this every since she was in junior high she is noe 18 what in gods name should i do ive prayed asked for forgiveness and to forgive her i left my own home some one please help me because she will be here today
After reading this e-mail I wanted to cry. Yesterday my husband and I had a fight before he left the house. We both lost control and the usual pattern errupted. I still have resentment because he committed adultery and was not honest about it. He always uses the excuse that he can’t remember. He uses the same excuse when I confront him on anything and it triggers a big response. I keep thinking it is him who needs to change (and I believe he does) but that is none of my business. I need to change…I am so used to going from 0 to 100 in moments…that I need to slow down and not react but be slow to anger. If he calls me a name…I seem to react even quicker. I know with God’s help I can overcome…not just survive this way of living…and I know this e-mail spoke more to me than others in the past. Most of my anger as a child was turned inward…and now it seems to come out…not a pretty sight…but most of it still gets turned inward on me and I start to think it is all my fault…if I could only be a better…child…wife…mother than this would not have happened…I want to change… Please pray for me as I know this will not be easy…but with God’s help I can do all things…including this. Thanks
Muriel this is yet another devotional that hit home for me. I have a trouble temper.Have had one for many years. I have arranged to talk to someone about just this issue. I will be going next week for my first appointment GOD WILL.