Caught in the Backwash
Even though we are forgiven by God’s grace, sin has consequences and sometimes they’re devastating. When our actions harm others they can have lifelong ramifications.
We live in angry times. We see anger expressed most every day: driving on the highway, watching a drama on TV, or hearing the news. Some of us grew up in an angry home, where conflict never resolved and it escalated to anger. Others of us heard anger from the pulpit each week.
Even though the Bible never calls anger a sin, per se...often the way we express anger can be sinful. Scripture has a lot to say about anger, including how best to defuse our own anger as well as someone else’s—which shows that it can be done! Learning what’s behind our anger helps us unlock underlying emotions. And when the fear of anger is removed from a relationship, the freedom to work through conflict can produce immense satisfaction and understanding.
Let the Lord use these resources to help move your relationships toward unity as you seek to train this powerful emotion.
Even though we are forgiven by God’s grace, sin has consequences and sometimes they’re devastating. When our actions harm others they can have lifelong ramifications.
When you’ve offended someone it’s not enough to make things right with God. You need to face the person you’ve hurt and say, “I’m sorry.” Admitting you’re wrong takes guts and strength of character.
We’ve all hurt others, and no matter how much time has passed it’s not too late to reconcile and make things right. We all need grace, and we all need to extend grace. Mending broken relationships speaks volumes to those around you.
You probably know by now life isn’t fair. And it’s easy to become bitter because of what happens—but if you don’t forgive you will be trapped in a prison of your own making. Forgiveness is the key to releasing you from bitterness, hatred, and resentment.
Restoring a relationship takes courage and humility, but it’s the right thing to do. Making things right is always worth it.
When your life is free of bitterness you have lots of room for kindness. Which would you rather have in your life?
All anger is not bad...and all conflicts are not wrong. But disagreements need to be expressed appropriately and at the right time.
When you imagine God’s face...what do you see? If you visualize anger, you’re wrong. All God’s anger at sin was poured on Christ at the cross. This means if you’re in Christ, you’re free from God’s wrath because of Christ’s death and resurrection.
Defiance affects everyone, no matter your age. And it traps you in your selfishness, stubbornness, indifference, resistance, and contempt. Why not get rid defiance and live according to God’s Word. “Good understanding produces favor, but the way of the treacherous is hard,” (Proverbs 13:15 NASB).
Anger never corrects itself. It never disappears...in fact the longer you leave it the stronger it grows. Confronting your anger is the best thing you can do to deal with it—confess it and let it go today. Don’t wait another moment.