Please open your Bible and read Mark 3:1-6.

Ever been cut off in traffic? Had someone cut in front of you in line? Gotten a bad haircut? If so, you may have felt angry.

Jesus got angry too, but He only got angry about important stuff. His anger was righteous anger and directed against those whose minds were so jaded and hearts so hard that they would rather follow their own laws and let a man suffer than see him healed!

Our own anger usually isn’t so honorable. We often get angry about frivolous things while not getting angry about stuff that really matters. However, Jesus’ response to the Pharisees gives us a helpful principle that we can apply in our own lives to respond better any time we’re angry: Turn anger into grace.

“[Jesus] looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored.” (Mark 3:5) Instead of lashing out at those who’d angered Him, Jesus turned His anger into a wonderful good deed. He turned His anger into an act of grace.

When we’re angry, we need to respond somehow. Bottling up our anger (or, for that matter, jealousy, or depression, or anxiety) will only lead to more inner turmoil. So from now on, let’s choose to respond in the way Jesus did: By following Jesus’ example of turning anger into grace and doing something good: “We love because God loved us first.” (1 John 4:19, CEV)

Anger, turned into good! And maybe, through this human act of grace, someone who doesn’t yet know Jesus “may see your good deeds and glorify God” (1 Peter 2:12) and by your act of grace come to know the greatest grace they’ll ever know: God’s grace.

Question: When do you get angry most often, and what opportunities are there in those situations to turn that anger into grace?

Do you struggle to be honest with God about how you feel? Can we pray for you today?

“Let us draw near to God, with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith…” (Hebrews 10:22)

One of my favorite authors, Madeleine L’Engle wrote a telling poem,

Dear God,

I hate you.

Love, Madeleine

To some Christians this poem would seem blasphemous. I encounter something different. In the midst of immense disappointment, anger, frustration, and disinterest I find love. Underlying Madeleine’s relationship with God is love. Love moves her towards God, not away. Human nature tells us to run away from the reality of feelings, but Christ encourages us to embrace them allowing their grip to move us towards Him.

The Bible tells the story of two sisters.  Swiftly one moves towards the kitchen with another batch of hospitality as she over hears her sister just sitting with their guest. Dare to peek inside her head and you’ll find…anger, resentment, and disgust at her own sister and this man in her house. Tensions flare. And then she opens her mouth,

“Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” (Luke 10:40)

Anger arose and opened its mouth. Now what? Will He rebuke and leave her? He draws her near with His response.

 “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed.” (Luke 10:41)

This passage often used to highlight Mary’s nobleness, overlooks the powerful interface between an honest, angry woman with the definition of love, Jesus. Just like Madeleine, Martha, discovered that emotions can’t overtake the foundation of love. Rather, they’re often used to reel us into a deeper, abiding relationship with Him.

It’s not often preached from the pulpit, but God desires honesty that builds intimacy.  Madeleine and Martha challenged God and proved Him right. Moving towards Him is never wrong.  Unpackaged feelings can be handled and trusted  in His care. Dare to share and discover He is still there beckoning an abundant relationship based on His unconditional love. And with that, I’m off to write my own “Dear God” note as I desire to experience oneness with Him.

“Let us draw near to God, with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith…” (Hebrews 10:22)

Questions: Do you have unresolved anger and resentment towards someone? Ask the Lord if there is any unresolved anger you hold towards Him.

“Above all else guard your heart for it is the well spring of life.” Proverbs 4:23

We have a small garden in our yard. In the busyness of life, our garden is often neglected. When it really starts to look bad, I am motivated to do some weeding. Some weeds are easy to pull, but others resist because their roots are strong and deep into the soil. The longer the time between weeding the more difficult the task will be.

My heart is like our garden, sometimes neglected for long periods of time. Weeds of anger, disappointment, fear, frustration, critical attitudes, worry and guilt are allowed to grow to the point that the garden of my heart is in bad shape! The solution? God’s Spirit, as the Divine Gardener of my heart has to deal with my neglect.

Today, allow God to do the needed weeding in your heart.  Ask Him to reveal the weeds that are growing by confessing sin and being honest with Him about the state of your heart.  Thank Him for his forgiveness through Christ’s death on the cross. He already knows how rooted some sin has become. Ask God to direct and empower you for a fruitful life through His Spirit. Some weeds will be uprooted easily; others will require daily attention in order to make the deep roots are removed and ensure they don’t grow back.

Solomon in all his wisdom said, “Above all else guard your heart for it is the well spring of life.” Proverbs 4:23

Question: How does a person “guard [his] heart”?

Have you ever felt distant from God? Wes did.

“And they rose up and drove him out of the town and brought him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they could throw him down the cliff. But passing through their midst, he went away” (Luke 4:29-30).

Have you ever gotten so riled up about something that it was all you could think about? You kept pushing it back, but it refused to leave the forefront of your thoughts. I have heard people call it “stewing in your juices”.  Your throat begins to clog as if not to allow anything else in. Tears well in your eyes. Your face reddens, your fists clench.

If anyone comes up cheery and sweet you want to throw them off a cliff, just as these people of Nazareth wanted to do with Jesus. “Get out of my sight. How dare the rest of the world keep spinning merrily along when I feel so distraught?” If you do, don’t be surprised if Jesus passes through your midst and goes away.

Do you share your hurt, your anger or disgust? Do you try to rally others to your corner? “Come be miserable with me. Let me get you riled up as well.”  If you do, don’t be surprised if Jesus passes through your midst and goes away.

What? Jesus go away? No, He is always here. He promised He’d be with us until the end of the age. Yes, but when you take your eyes off of Him and put them back on yourself it will appear as if He has gone away. You have chosen to be stirred up instead of giving Him the situation, the hurt, the anger. He wants to give you peace. He said over and over again in the Gospels not to be anxious but to seek Him, trust Him. When we don’t listen, just like this crowd in Nazareth, He’ll pass in our midst. Why?

Perhaps it is to make us seek Him. My cats only notice movement. If a bird or rabbit or squirrel stays perfectly still, they blend in the background. It is not until they move that my cats’ ears perk up and their vision sharpens. When Jesus moves in our lives, even to step away, He gets our attention.  If that doesn’t work, if we still look inward and downward into our own little mess, He will appear to, well, disappear. Like a little toddler playing pick-a-boo, we put our hands over our spiritual eyes then wonder where He went?

These people in Nazareth were so riled up they lost focus. Jesus had tried to tell them something important—that He was there to save their souls—and all they could think about was their petty prejudices. They became so riled up they were blinded by their anger.

Times haven’t changed, have they?

Question: Is Jesus passing by you today? Will you turn to Him?

Have you been neglected your heart? Take our study to get the weeds out.

“Above all else guard your heart for it is the well spring of life” (Proverbs 4:23).

We have a small garden in our yard. In the busyness of life, our garden is often neglected. When it really starts to look bad, I am motivated to do some weeding. Some weeds are easy to pull, but others resist because their roots are strong and deep into the soil. The longer the time between weeding the more difficult the task will be.

My heart is like our garden, sometimes neglected for long periods of time. Weeds of anger, disappointment, fear, frustration, critical attitudes, worry and guilt are allowed to grow to the point that the garden of my heart is in bad shape! The solution? God’s Spirit, as the Divine Gardener of my heart has to deal with my neglect.

Today, allow God to do the needed weeding in your heart.  Ask Him to reveal the weeds that are growing by confessing sin and being honest with Him about the state of your heart.  Thank Him for his forgiveness through Christ’s death on the cross. He already knows how rooted some sin has become. Ask God to direct and empower you for a fruitful life through His Spirit. Some weeds will be uprooted easily; others will require daily attention in order to make the deep roots are removed and ensure they don’t grow back.

Solomon in all his wisdom said, “Above all else guard your heart for it is the well spring of life” (Proverbs 4:23).

Questions: As we are negligent in caring for our heart, what weeds begin to grow there? How can those weeds be removed from our heart?

Have you ever written a love letter to God?

“…The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin” (Exodus 34:6, 7).

A few years ago, at Christmas, I was given the most unusual and wonderful gift I had ever received. It was a common notebook, but over the entire previous year, my husband had filled it with love notes to me.  For hours, I drank in the messages conveyed in that little book. Now, years later, I keep it close to me, often rereading my favorite sections. It has given me insight into my husband’s character, what is important to him and how he feels about me.

The gift reminds me of the treasure we have in the Bible, the book of God’s love for us. Throughout its pages, in every chapter and verse, we can discover who God is and how much He loves us.

The Old Testament recounts God’s love and faithfulness to His chosen people Israel, while the New Testament reveals, through Jesus Christ, God’s amazing love for each one of us.

Peasants, prophets and kings poured out their personal experience of God’s love and their words are recorded in Scripture. King David said, “Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, Your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, Your justice like the great deep. O LORD, You preserve both man and beast. How priceless is Your unfailing love!” (Psalm 36:5-7)

There is endless nourishment waiting for you in God’s book of love. Become one of those whom David talked about when he said, “They feast on the abundance of Your house; You give them drink from Your river of delights” (Psalm 36:8).

Thank you, God, for Your love for me. May I soak in what You have for me in Your Word today. Amen.

Questions: Have you thought of the Bible as God’s book of love before now? What is your favorite part of God’s book of love?

Related:
Do You Want True Forgiveness?

Do you struggle with the darkness of depression and find yourself without hope? We are here. Talk to us.

“Why, O Lord, do you stand far away? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?” (Psalm 10:1)

On a whim, I stopped at a fast food restaurant to get a cold drink while dashing about with my to-do list of errands. The line of cars at the drive-through was six deep, so I parked to go inside instead.  I saw a dear friend of mine through the glass. She was bent over her computer, holding her right hand to her mouth, worry lines exaggerated on her forehead.  I waved to get her attention but she was too busy concentrating on what was on the screen to look up.

I leaned over the small landscaped shrubs and tapped the glass. No response. I went inside and stood in front of her, ready to say something jovial. Then I saw a tear run down her cheek, so I slid into the booth and placed my hand over her left one as it crunched a napkin. She jumped, then relief filled her face and she hugged me. “How did God know I’d need a good friend right now?” she whispered. On the screen was an email from her son with disturbing news.

In Psalm 10 David asked why God seemed so far away in times of trouble. I think if we are honest, that same question has crossed out thoughts as well. Why does God seem so far away? Back in the day, there used to be a bumper sticker that read something to the effect of “If you can’t feel God in your life, guess who moved?”

God’s love is constant, but our anger, our grief, and our doubts can push Him away from our thoughts. The negatives crowd out that small voice we know is not from our own brain waves.  Despair robs us of the closeness we once felt. Yet the Bible tells us God is our refuge and strength in times of trouble. (Psalm 46:1)

God is always there. Sometimes we just need to look up from our troubles to see Him. Maybe it will be in the form of a friend, a rainbow on a stormy day, the words to a hymn, or a passage of scripture.  Perhaps it will be a sudden calm that coats us like a protective shell. David learned that. His faith helped him to see God through his despair. He says later on in Psalm 10 -

“O Lord, you hear the desire of the afflicted; you will strengthen their heart; you will incline your ear” (vs. 17).

God is a gentleman. He waits to be asked before entering into our situations. He also knows our hearts, and when we just may need someone we know to pull into a fast food restaurant on a whim and see us, unaware that she is about to become His instrument of peace.

Questions: If you looked up from your troubles right now, who would you see? Have you asked your Lord to come into your situation to comfort you and give you strength?

Of course, forgiveness will never be easy or straightforward. It takes time for wounds to fully heal. Have been holding on to bitterness and are reluctant to forgive someone? Is it time to seek reconciliation instead?

Take our interactive Fly Away follow-up study to explore this issue and receive a personal reply via email or use this form to talk to a mentor about forgiving or being forgiven. We’re here to listen and will respond confidentially.

Related:
Explore what this video means to you through our “Fly Away” interactive online study
Talk to a mentor about forgiveness
Continue to watch the follow-up “Fly Away” music video!

Does the future concern or overwhelm you? We are here to listen.

“When he summoned a famine on the land and broke all supply of bread, he had sent a man ahead of them, Joseph, who was sold as a slave. His feet were hurt with fetters; his neck was put in a collar of iron; until what he had said came to pass, the word of the Lord tested him. The king sent and released him; the ruler of the peoples set him free; he made him lord of his house and ruler of all his possessions, to bind his princes at his pleasure and to teach his elders wisdom” (Psalm 105:17-22).

This is the way the Psalmist describes what happened to Joseph in the Book of Genesis. His jealous brothers left him to die. He was sold into slavery, but lived. God eventually raised Joseph up to be second only to the King, just when his brothers needed him the most. It was in a time of famine and Egypt, because of Joseph’s wise reliance and trust in God, had obediently stored grain away in advance.

The way the Psalm tells the story brings out a great truth. When tragedy hits us, we feel bound by circumstances, fettered and shackled by tragedy. But if we stay in the Word, and trust God enough to listen to Him, we will make it through. The lessons we learn during that time will be stored up inside us. God knows there will someday be someone who goes through the same tragedy. He knows we can be there to help them through their famine of hurt, anger, doubt and loss. We can be the nourishment they need because God has stored it up in us, preparing us for just that time.

People often try to answer why bad things happen to good people, or to be more precisely, people of God. Yes, it is because of free will in a fallen, broken world. It may be to teach us to depend more on Him. But, this part of Psalm 105 gives another reason. Perhaps, it is because down the line, someone else who has less faith at that time will go through a similar thing and will need us to minister them through it. We can help release their bounds, and bind them to God’s love.

When I became widowed last November, I thanked God He had prepared not only my big sister in widowhood ahead of me, but several faith-filled women who had just recently come into my life.  Up until that moment I became one of them, it never dawned on me why so many widows had become my close friends.

But, God knew. Shackled by fear of the unknown and fettered with hurt, my famine was eased by their experiences.  They prayed me through it, and still are. My bounds are loosening. I have no doubt it is for His purpose and glory. One day, I will be like Joseph in some other woman’s famine.

Whatever you are going through—and we all are going through something, or are about to because that is the nature of this life on earth—have confidence that God is watching over you. He does truly have a plan. He will release the shackles in His timing and give you the opportunity to store up what you have labored over. There will come a time for you to share your pains, and victories, with others. Like Joseph’s brothers, they may not expect it to be you. But God does.

Questions: Has God placed someone in your life who needs your stored up grain to ease their famine? Or, if you are in that famine, will you trust Him to send someone with grain to you?