The Danger In Anger With God.

Hello readers. I hear it is National Forgiveness Day. How about that, huh? I have been given the perfect excuse to write this blog! What is the biggest reason we don't forgive, you ask? Anger. So let's talk about the danger in anger...shall we? I know, much like any other emotion, there are different levels of anger. Today's post, however, will focus mostly on anger with Christ. So bear with me. 

I overheard a conversation about an individual's anger with God for the passing of a loved one. I was curious to what she was saying, for I too had experienced anger with God for about a six month period in my life. While I was eavesdropping, the tone of her voice became more and more passionate and concluding her spiel she said, "I am just so angry with God, and that is okay."

I didn't think anything of it at first, because (as I said) I could relate. However, that statement lingered with me. I kept turning it over and over in my mind. Is it really okay to be angry with God? I mean, human nature brings out the best and the worst of our emotions. Natural circumstances aid in that; in fact, they beckon it. It's only natural that we, as humans, would respond a certain way to a certain stimulation. So, what is the danger of just being angry with God?

Anger provokes communication barriers. Just like when you're mad with a sibling or a friend, your talk with God is influenced. Your prayers become short and inhibited, and until these communication problems are solved, there cannot be any growth from the situation.

Anger places blame. Blame leads to resentment. Of course, God has the ultimate plan. Blame and resentment can only hinder you from seeing what that plan may be.

Anger festers. Like a drop of ink in a glass of water, anger can pollute your life and relationships. When angry with God, if it is not confronted, can become poison and build up. Paul beckons us to confront our anger the day that it occurs in Ephesians 4:26 where he pens, "Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger..."

Anger is prey for Satan. Paul concludes that statement with, "...and give no opportunity to the devil," in verse 27. Satan thrives on our anger with God. It's an open door for him to sabotage our relationship with Him and potential relationships that surround us.

"Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice."-Ephesians 4:31

Don't let anger taint your relationship with Christ. Instead, view your circumstances as an opportunity to grow, find purpose, know God more, and find yourself. Don't waste six months of your life to anger. It will never be worth it.

That being said...Happy National Forgiveness Day! Let's strive to let go of all of the anger, bitterness, resentment, and blame; and give forgiveness a shot.

Let Our Love Meet The Cross.

It's a shame, I believe. That the man that we ought to model our lives after is the same man that we have, more often than not, misrepresented. We can all get caught up in the black, white, and gray; arguments and debates; who is right or wrong; ministry for the sake of doing rather for the sake of pure love; politics in the church; and many other factors that distract us from the face of Christ.

"Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all!
Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord.
Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.”
Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good."-Romans 12:9-21 NLT


This really puts things in perspective for me. Really love them... If we could truly grasp that concept, and let love drive our ministry, let love take over our churches, and let our love meet the cross, we could truly see revolution.

Love That Surpasses All Others.

As many of you are aware, tomorrow is Father's Day. If I'm being entirely honest, I wish I could be happy about it. But, this year, I'm finding myself to be less than thrilled. Sure, it has been almost three years since my grandpa passed away...but that feeling of hopelessness and sadness still shows up every now and then. I sometimes think the feeling will never go away. That being said, today I have been a little depressed (since I'm being honest) because tomorrow is Father's Day. And I've been slightly envious of those of you who do have fathers to celebrate the day with, you know...someone to talk to, to laugh with, to share life with. It's definitely something I have struggled with today but throughout the day have realized that I can be happy about Father's Day. I just need to focus on a love that surpasses all others.

I am incredibly blessed to have been raised by such an amazing man, and tomorrow I can remember and appreciate his dedication to his family. But, I can also spend the day thanking God for being the heavenly Father that I absolutely do not deserve. And for showing me the meaning of unconditional love. With all of that being said...

Tonight I've been appreciating a love that surpasses all others. No earthly love can touch it. No earthly love can truly satisfy me. No earthly love can solve all of my problems. No earthly love can complete me. There is no earthly love that I can wake up to that makes me feel as secure as this love. There is no love on earth that can validate and affirm every need of mine as this love does. No earthly love is perfect. 

Although the love on this earth makes life more pleasant, wealthy, and fulfilling, there will be days when the love on this earth disappoints. There will be days when the love on this earth hurts. There will be days when the love on this earth burdens. But the love of my Father leaves me content and rich. The love of my Father leaves me nothing but pride. The love of my Father leaves me nothing but comfort. The love of my Father is freeing and perfect. 

When I bind my limbs with chains, His love breaks them. When I run towards destruction, His love rescues. His love is impossible to escape. His love redeems every mistake that I have made. With every mistake that makes me evil and undeserving, His love covers and whispers to me that I am more than deserving. When loneliness suffocates me and fear grips at my neck, it is Him who revives me. 

He calls me His daughter and has adopted me as His own. He is the lover of my soul, my dark, scheming, human soul. He calls me the apple of His eye and He calls me by my name. 

Today, make the most out of your love here on earth by understanding that nobody is perfect, and the only love that will complete you is God's. The love that God has blessed us with here on earth is to make this life better not perfect. 

Have a wonderful day with your father and/or family tomorrow!