Target Point, Vol. 8 of 31 Today's Verse/Thought: A Remote Fix
Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance. Psalm 42:5
Life Implication:
As a man, are you a potato on a couch with that remote glued to your hand? As a woman, do you constantly blame your hormones for those down days? Suppressed anger can have a huge EMOTIONAL IMPACT on our minds causing boredom, depression (depression defined is pressed-down anger), cynicism, sarcasm, and feeling drained.
The Psalmist pours out to God in Psalm 42 exactly how he is feeling emotionally. Here is a man who is thoroughly depressed: his soul thirsts, his tears have been his food, he's wondering where God is, he remembers the past, he feels like God has let the difficulties of life engulf him, he feels like God has forgotten him. But instead of picking up that remote, or blaming hormonal imbalance . . . the Psalmist looks to the Lord for the help of His countenance, and therefore, his own emotions and pain.
Do you let internalized anger fester, negatively impacting you to the depths of your emotions, or do you run to God?
Life Application:
Remember, it's OK to have anger. Often beneath a person's anger is a whole reservoir of hurt, pain, loss of love, loss of face, stress, and frustration. This can build up. The greatest gift you can give yourself is to EXPLORE, WORK WITH, AND CLEAN OUT THIS ANGER BEFORE THE LORD, just as King David did in the Psalms. Believe me, God will not be intimidated by your anger.
Take a few moments to read Psalm 42, then start an anger diary. Each evening, note what ticked you off that day. List the times you got angry-and look for patterns. If you find you tend to blow up when you discuss money with your spouse, for example, talk it over and then take time to pray together with your spouse about that concern. Look to the Lord to show you how to deal with those angry tendencies, whatever trend they may take.
Tomorrow In TargetPoint:
Tears in the Desert