How we act when angered matters.
“19Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” – James 1:19-20
We, as man, have anger. That anger is not channeled appropriately, not is it Godly at all. Our typical anger is caused when we are “hurt” by others and is very selfish.
How did you feel the last time you were not heard? You were in a group of people and everyone seemed to be ignoring you. You speak and then someone else takes over the conversation. You offer something and the group looks away to another person with that dominating personality. I know that when that happens to me, I feel small and insignificant, “I don’t matter”, “I have no voice” and frankly I get angry.
As a read God’s Word, I am realizing that my anger is not righteous. You see, I do matter, TO GOD! I should not be distracted by lack of acceptance in groups of man, for my focus should stay with and on God. I have been a part of the love and actions of God and it is amazing. You see, I was having some difficulties with some people I interact with. I was being ignored and treated with what I considered disrespect (notice it was “I” that “felt” that way). After some time (2 years) there were some changes that occurred in the group and I was made aware that it was difficult for the group to understand how I was able to keep it all together based on the way I was treated. I was apparently admired, after the fact for the attitude I had in the moments.
I thought I was failing, when actually God was winning. I was different and that difference was Christ. I chose not to act on the anger I was feeling and did my best to only display the love of Christ (although I did not feel as though I was doing well at all).
We have a choice to act with love or anger. Our choice will impact others, even if we do not see it. I was encouraged to keep on acting out of love and God continues to triumph. It is not us that wins, our egos don’t matter. God wins when we suppress our selfish anger and act with love.
Will you act on the anger you feel? Or, will you be the one that “turns the other cheek” and acts in love? Who is winning in your life, you or GOD?
Trevor's Thoughts 