Target Point, Vol. 23 of 31 Today's Verse/Thought: Are You Layered or Laminated?
Therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live; that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may CLING TO HIM, for He is your life and the length of your days. Deuteronomy 30:19,20
Life Implication:
There's a somewhat overworked phrase that has to do with obtaining KEYS to this or that-Keys to the Kingdom, Keys to whatever the discussion may be about. What do you think of when you think of a key? Did you think the following? A key is used to open something! You say, That's pretty obvious, Vince! Well, overworked or not, keys do work! So today we will begin looking at KEYS to properly managed anger. Put each one of these on your mental key ring and use them regularly! Here they are-Managing Anger Properly:
1. DON'T LET IT BUILD; 2. BRING IT TO GOD NOW; 3. EXAMINE THE CAUSE; 4. GIVE UP YOUR RIGHTS; 5. GET TO THE ROOT; and, 6. NEVER PAY BACK EVIL FOR EVIL.
Let's take a look at the first key: DON'T LET IT BUILD. If you allow anger to build, it becomes like layers of an onion. With all those layers, an onion becomes pretty hard on the exterior.
Donald J. Mechling, Ph.D., in his discussion on the handling and expression of anger, gives some excellent rules of thumb: Say it soon (don't save it up); say it with conviction (mild tones with angry words just confuse people.)
Keeping these thoughts in mind, the most important thing is to be LAMINATED TO GOD. Don't be angry with what people say, says Fenelon, a Catholic priest who lived in the 1600s. As far as people are concerned, you will never be able to satisfy them. Silence, peace, and union with God should comfort you from all that people speak against you...Come to God often just to sit in His presence and renew yourself. In other words, laminate yourself to the God who created you and who loves you.
Life Application:
If something someone has done or said is really bugging you, discuss it first with the Lord. Ask His guidance as to when and what to say to that person. That's the first step to not letting your anger build up to the point of a volcanic eruption. C.S. Lewis has a great exhortation: The moment you wake up each morning, all your wishes and hopes for the day rush at you like wild animals. And the first job each morning consists in shoving it all back; in listening to that other voice, taking that other point of view, letting that other, larger, stronger, quieter life come flowing in. From personal experience, I can say beyond a shadow of a doubt, that counsel from God is the only counsel that will work in your favor and help you not to allow anger to build up in your heart!
Tomorrow In TargetPoint:
Heart Attacked or Heart Attached?