Tag: Prayer

Surprise!

The world is full of surprises– some good, some bad.  Open your mailbox on any given day, or walk down the street…you are bound to see something unexpected.  You may get a bill you forgot about, or run into an old friend.  There are surprises in the weather patterns, in traffic patterns, in relationships, in jobs, all around our houses and neighborhoods, in world events.  Some are shocking, some delightful, and any of them can change our days or even our lives.

We like pleasant surprises; we fear the unpleasant ones.  But most of us don’t pray for them.  We pray for miracles–healing and rescue and transformation–pleasant outcomes that we hope for or imagine.  We pray for ease and comfort, or wisdom and strength to face the bad times.  But we don’t ask God to surprise us.

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Why don’t I ask God to awe me?  Dazzle me?  Surprise me?  Sometimes I fear that he might surprise me with what my past actions deserve.  More often, I simply want to stay in the comfort and simplicity of what I already know.  I don’t want to be delighted; I just want to be entertained.

One thing I know, but I need to be reminded:  God does not give bad surprises.  He does not send ANYTHING into my life that can’t be used for my good and his glory.  The world will send tragedy and I will have to face the consequences of Sin– mine and others’.  I may be unfairly treated at work; I may be struck by a drunk driver and paralyzed.  I may face difficult losses, and inexplicable circumstances.  And the mistake is to see these as “surprises” from God.  God never promised a pain-free, problem-free life in this world, but he surprises us with the kind of gifts that overcome and even confound our tragic circumstances– the power to forgive, to be joyful, to have peace, and share love.

John 16:33 English Standard Version (ESV)

33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Matthew 7:9-11 New International Version (NIV)

9 “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

The road ahead is full of surprises–that’s a great reason to pray.  God loves to surprise us with good things– that’s another great reason to pray for them!

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Puzzling Prayers

Have you ever been puzzled by prayer? Prayer is very mysterious. It’s difficult to explain how it “works.” I ask God to do something– sometimes I ask for very specific things. And if God chooses, He sends me exactly what I have asked for. But what if He doesn’t? Does that mean that He didn’t hear? Or does it mean that I am “out of favor” with Him? If God answers a very specific prayer, is it because I prayed for that specific answer or would He have done it anyway? Does my prayer change God’s plans, or does God cause me to pray what He wanted to do from the start? I can’t give a definite answer, because God’s ways are NOT my ways. I don’t fully understand how prayer operates.

But I don’t have to puzzle about prayer. I don’t have to analyze and dissect the various elements of prayer or of God’s Sovereign will in order to pursue prayer. Prayer has very little to do with any of the variables I can understand or control. Prayer is communicating (hopefully in an intimate and worshipful way) with a Sovereign and Holy God. If I could figure out the “how” I would not so treasure the WHO!

There are some guidelines, however, that make prayer a bit less puzzling and more practical:

  • Prayer isn’t about ME. I don’t have to be perfect, or eloquent, or righteous in order to call out to God. His answers don’t depend on who I am (status) or what I’ve done (performance). He doesn’t “grade on a curve,” and He doesn’t have favorites. “Whosoever” is a word that comes up often in Christ’s teachings, and I need to remember that NOTHING can separate me from the Love of Christ (see Romans 8:38-39), and ONLY Christ has made that possible (see John 15:5 and Acts 4:12)
  • Prayer isn’t about me, but it is FOR me. God already knows my thoughts, feelings, and attitudes. But He invites me to pray, so that WE can enjoy a relationship. God can survive and thrive without me, but I can’t live an abundant (and certainly not an eternal) life without Him. We were created to live in relationship– with others and with Him– and you can’t have a relationship without communication. And you can’t have a fulfilling relationship if the communication is only one-sided! God communicates with us in many ways– He’s given us His Word, He sends us the Holy Spirit, and He sends wisdom and encouragement through other people. But prayer is our way of responding! Browse through the Psalms and see how deeply personal prayer can be!
  • Prayer ISN’T transactional. Because prayer is meant to be relational, it is deep and personal– not shallow and transactional. In other words, it isn’t about WHAT I’m praying for or WHAT God gives in response. It is about sharing WHO we are– prayer may or may not answer my immediate circumstances, but it WILL answer (eventually and satisfactorily) the cry of my heart and allow me to know God more fully. While I can keep a record of how and when God has provided answers to my prayers, to remind me of His tender care or to encourage me as I face new challenges, I do not need to keep a “scorecard” of God’s answers– it is not a competition or a power play.
  • Because prayer is not transactional, it’s not really about the results. Of course, that is what we, in our lack of knowledge and understanding, can point to and keep track of, but Faith causes us to “see” the results that don’t yet exist (see Hebrews 11:1 and 6), and have confidence that God WILL act according to His Holy character and perfect will (see Hebrews 11:39-40). We pray BEYOND what we can see and know, because God is greater than our circumstances!
  • Prayer isn’t a procedure; it is a process and a pursuit. Because prayer is part of an ongoing and deepening relationship with God, it is never finished. We may say “Amen” at the end of each prayer, but really, prayer is a continuing conversation, not a task to complete. God may not answer a single “chat” when He wants to develop a conversational thread or an ongoing discussion.
  • God’s ways and plans are mysterious and majestic in ways my mind cannot grasp. I can puzzle and protest and whine about what God chooses to do, and when and how He chooses to do it, but I cannot tell Him how or when or why He MUST do anything. Because I can only guess at outcomes and results. God KNOWS. And even when His ways don’t seem to make sense, I can trust Him, not because I know the answers, but because I know HIM!
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Paltry Prayer

What do I mean by “paltry” prayer? “Paltry” is more than just small or weak. It is “inferior; trashy; trivial; measly; despicable…” (Merriam Webster dictionary)

Paltry prayer is generic and insubstantial.  It’s like the horrible small talk at a social event one doesn’t want to attend, but feels obligated to show up at, because it’s expected.  When we throw up a prayer, but we really don’t want to get “real” before God, we’re offering crumbs instead of a sacrifice; face-time, instead of intimate conversation.

There are times when we cry out in desperation; we have no words or fleshed-out thoughts, only groans.  That’s not what I’m talking about.  I’m talking about the times when we want to reassure ourselves that we’re one of the good guys– that our plans and wishes have God’s stamp of approval–without actually risking God’s authoritative answer.  “God, help me to do your will today,” sounds like a great prayer, but do we really mean what we’re saying?   Or are we really asking God to approve of our own will  and plans as we go through the day?

I’m especially concerned that we are offering paltry prayers in regards to evangelism and revival.  We want it to come– we want God to send a fresh wave of revival to our communities, our country, and our world– but let it begin and end without making us too uncomfortable, too aware of our own need for confession, forgiveness, or change.  We want our neighbor to be saved– without the pain of witnessing and being laughed at or ostracized.  We want to be emboldened to witness, but we don’t want to be humbled into listening.  We want to be blessed; we don’t want to be tested.

 

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I get very discouraged sometimes, when I realize that my own prayers have been paltry.  But there is good news– the same loving Father that wants deeper conversation with me is endlessly forgiving, encouraging, and loving.  And I am not alone in offering meager conversation or selfish complaints before His throne.

Jonah (yes the “Big Fish” guy of the Bible) was a prophet– a very successful one, except for the episode with Nineveh.  Not only did Jonah run as far from Nineveh as a ship could take him; he basically committed suicide to avoid doing God’s bidding.  When his shipmates are in a panic, Jonah demands that they throw him in the sea.  This is not as a result of consulting with God, nor does the Bible suggest that it is at God’s command.  The sailors continue to panic at the thought of throwing Jonah overboard, and are astonished when the storm stops as Jonah sinks toward the ocean floor.  If not for the fish, Jonah would have drowned.  God sent the fish to save Jonah, but there is nothing to suggest that Jonah had any idea of being rescued. However, from the belly of the fish, Jonah lifts up a poetic prayer, in which he sings the praises of the God who spared his life.   He marvels at his rescue and restoration, and vows to go back to Nineveh and fulfill his destiny.  His prayer strikes all the “holy” notes one would wish to see, but I would contend that this is, at its heart, a paltry prayer– sincere in the moment, but not the prayer of a man fully transformed by his near-death experience.

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Fast forward to the fourth chapter of the book of Jonah.  Nineveh has heard Jonah’s message about God’s wrath and impending judgment; the people have had a miraculous change of heart, and God has agreed to spare them from destruction (for a time– the Ninevites went back to their old habits and were eventually destroyed).  Imagine if the late Billy Graham had held a rally in Moscow or Tehran or Los Angeles and the ENTIRE CITY had repented?!  This is success beyond imagination.  But we don’t find Jonah grateful and poetic as he was at the end of chapter two– instead, he is hateful and bitter, and praying for death!  God causes a small vine to grow and provide some shade for Jonah as he sits and sulks, but then he sends a worm to chew up the vine so it withers.  Jonah is more heartbroken at the loss of the vine then he was over the possibility of the destruction of an entire city.  Jonah’s story doesn’t end in triumph, but in triviality.

Prayer is a great opportunity to pour out our hearts before God– but it also reveals the content and character of our hearts.  If our prayers are paltry and our hearts shallow, God will often humble us.  But he will also rescue us from our own sinfulness and sulking, and give us all that we need to finish victoriously.  The book of Jonah is a great cautionary tale– let’s learn from it, today.

What can we do to make our prayers less “paltry” and more proactive?  Check out the suggestions on the attached pages of this blog, or look online for prayer groups and prayer sites that offer constructive ideas.

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Prayers In the Half-Light

We’ve had electrical problems at our apartment for the past few days. We haven’t lost all our power, but the overhead lights are all connected to wall switches that aren’t working. The repairman is supposed to come today or tomorrow to address the issue. But it’s been a weird experience to say the least.

Our refrigerator, stove, air conditioning, water heater, and computer are all functioning as usual, but there is no light in the bathroom at all, and only window and skylight available in the rest of the rooms. We were able to find one floor lamp, which gives some light in the living room– just enough to read for a few minutes, but not enough to light up the other rooms, including the kitchen, where I need to cook and do dishes. Most of our life continues as normal, but at night, or during the recent rains, it gets very dark. We have flashlights and candles, but it is difficult to take a shower or cook in the dark!

I’m not complaining. We are marvelously blessed to have the appliances working as they do. But it changes one’s perspective. We take our lights for granted.

I like to think that I see the world around me clearly; that I know where I am going and understand my surroundings. I take for granted the illusion of control and clarity. Even in my prayers, I like to think that I know what to pray about, who to pray for, and how to approach God in prayer. But often, I am praying in the half-light. I don’t really see things clearly, I’m not in control of my own circumstances, and I’m only guessing at what I need (or what anyone else needs). I see God as part of my surroundings, or distant, rather than the One who holds all things in His hand while being ever-present with me.

But God delights to hear us even when– especially when– we can’t see the next step clearly. Faith that is never put to the test isn’t given a chance to be strengthened. Faith can shine through during moments of crisis. If we lost our power completely, it would be easier somehow to fall back on Faith, knowing that God sees and hears; that He will provide. But in the half-light, it is tempting to look for ways to rely on my own ingenuity to “manage” the crisis and not “bother” God with my temporary struggles.

And I find that I do this with emotional, relational, and even spiritual struggles, too. Of course, I turn to God in the dark, when I can’t see to do anything. But what about when I can “handle it” for a while. I have all that I need to survive, but I’m facing a new challenge, or a temporary disruption?

When I pray for my unsaved neighbors or family members, I can’t see what they really need. I can see that they are lost– perhaps miserable and struggling, but also perhaps believing that everything in their life is fine. But I can’t dictate to God how or when or what will be best for them. Often, they are living lifestyles that are taking them further away from God. Sometimes, they are entrenched in philosophies and experiences that cut them off from the truth. In my limited wisdom, I would pray for immediate results– that they would repent NOW. I don’t think that’s wrong to want, but it may not be God’s plan for them. It may be that God will redeem them from such thinking and situations only after they have experienced heartache and suffering– so that they will be in a position to help people who otherwise will never hear the Truth. God’s ways are not my ways– and His ways are ALWAYS best!

Jesus said, “‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” (John 8:12). The overhead lights I think I depend on in my apartment cannot give me the light of life. All they can do is shine light on the things in my apartment. Only God can shine His light in my heart, mind, and soul! And that’s where my focus needs to be in prayer– not on what I can see around me, but what God will light up as I walk with Him.

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Prayer Brings Peace

“When peace, like a river, attendeth my soul;
When sorrows, like sea-billows roll–
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
‘It is well–it is well– with my soul.'”

As I write this, all is not well with my life.  I have bills looming, a leaky roof, and I’m grieving a recent family loss.  I worry about my husband as he travels and faces danger on the job, about my aging relatives, and our kids and grandkids.  All is not well with our nation– we have anger, division, violence, and strife; a breakdown of families, moral decay, and corruption.  All is not well with our world–nations are at war, we are destroying our environment, and all the progress that was supposed to make our lives easier seems to have made life more complicated and frantic, instead.

But all is well with my soul–not because of anything I have done or anything I do– peace and assurance are mine solely through the grace of God, which he gives in abundance.

Prayer does not bring peace automatically, nor does its haphazard and occasional practice guarantee instant or lasting peace.  Meditation, solitude, and other prayer-like exercises may bring a temporary calm, a respite, and a relief.  Closing our eyes and laying our burdens at his feet can bring the same feeling.  But prayer is more than just an exercise in making us feel better.  It isn’t meant to take us away from our circumstances, or to hand them off to God while we waltz away from our burdens.  Jesus said in Matthew 11:28-30, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”  Coming to God in prayer doesn’t make burdens disappear.  But it does mean that we no longer carry them alone, and that gives us rest for our souls.  God is not in the business of making our lives easy, carefree, and comfortable.  But he promises that as we share our lives with him, trusting that his ways are good and righteous, he will not only come alongside and share our burden, he will teach us and give us rest.

This is why the pursuit of prayer is so important.  The discipline of daily and personal prayer teaches us how and where to find peace that lasts– peace that “passes all understanding” (Philippians 4:6-7).  Like the cool, refreshing water of a river soothes and gives life, so God’s grace flows into our lives as we walk and talk with him every day.

I wrote last time about that peace, and how it comes from having our hearts and minds “stayed” or fixed on Jehovah. It was modeled for us by Christ, who spent hours in prayer– in private prayer and praying with, for, and in front of others. Jesus often went into the wilderness to spent time alone with God– praying, meditating, and listening to His Father’s voice. As Peter encouraged the early believers, we are to be “..casting all (our) anxieties on Him, because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7 ESV)

We don’t pray because we are already at peace. We pray because that is where we FIND peace!

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Perfect Peace

3 You will keep him in perfect peace,
Whose mind is stayed on You,
Because he trusts in You.
4 Trust in the Lord forever,
For in Yah, the Lord, is everlasting strength.
Isaiah 26:3-4 (NKJV)

We spent last weekend saying goodbye to my sister-in-law. NOT a final goodbye– more of a “see you later!” Wendy had suffered for years from both rheumatoid arthritis and stage four cancer. Many of her days were spent in agony, back and forth from hospital to home. In the middle of her battle, she had to say goodbye to her husband and navigate widowhood.

“Peace” would not seem to be a word connected in any way to Wendy’s struggles. Yet, the verses above from Isaiah kept speaking to me throughout last weekend. Not because Wendy ‘finally’ found peace and rest. But because she had a sustaining peace that “passes all understanding.” She lived with peace, trust, hope, and even joy, even while she suffered.

 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:6-9 (NKJV)

Perfect peace does not come from perfect circumstances. It does not come from willpower, or even positive thinking (notice that verse 7 precedes verse 8 in the passage above!) It comes from having your mind “stayed” on the great I AM. Not just thinking about Him in passing, or knowing a vast amount about Him, but keeping your focus and thoughts directed to Him. Peace is a by-product of a close and constant relationship with the one who is the “Prince of Peace” and the author of “shalom.”

We cannot generate perfect peace within ourselves because we are not perfect. We are not Holy, Righteous, or complete. But God is! And Paul’s advice to the Philippian believers above was written, not from peaceful surroundings, but from prison! His advice begins with prayer! Pray about everything! We can pray prayers of supplication (asking for healing, help, wisdom, direction, etc.) WITH thanksgiving– not because our circumstances are wonderful, or even because we expect God to work miracles to change our circumstances. We can thank and praise God from prison, from hospital beds or homeless shelters, refugee camps, storm shelters, blizzards, hurricane-battered houses, or sinking ships. Because God’s promises are faithful and true. They may not look like what we expect, imagine, or even hope for. They will involve pain and suffering because we still live in a broken world. God may bring us out of suffering, or help us avoid suffering, or He may settle in with us through the suffering. In every case, we can fix our eyes on the one who loves us perfectly, the one who has perfect power over every circumstance, perfect wisdom and vision to lead us through, and perfect plans for redemption, healing, hope, and eternal joy!

Wendy wasn’t perfect in this life. Suffering hurts. Pain ravages the body, and preys on the mind. Sleepless nights, loss of appetite, and nausea when one eats– such things cause us to cry out, to lament, and to ask “Why?!” Wendy did all that. But when we choose to focus less on the temporary trials of this life and look beyond to the greater story of redemption and ultimate glory, there is a peace that revives us, refreshes us, and strengthens us beyond what we can imagine. God is trustworthy– We can depend on Him when all around us is chaos and suffering. We can have hope and strength and blessed peace!

And that same peace is available to all of us who grieved for Wendy during her long illness. It sustains us with hope and strength that rises above the questions or doubts, beyond the tears and the memories of the past. We will have the joy of seeing Wendy (and many of our other family and loved ones) perfected. No more suffering; no more questions; no more separation. Perfect. Peace.

My challenge today is to stay focused on what really matters– on WHO is really in control. I pray that whatever you may be going through, that you will also find God’s perfect peace as you look to Him!

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Praying and Waiting

I write a lot about praying. I believe in the power of prayer. But I am often challenged by people who say, “God helps those who help themselves.” The power of prayer is not found in the people who pray but in the God who answers. And sometimes, those answers take time and require patience.

I’ve had prayers that were answered almost before I finished saying, “Amen!” But there are other prayers that tested my patience and my faith; prayers for which I’m still waiting for a definite answer; prayers that were answered with a final and unexplained, “NO!”

But some of the most amazing moments in my life have been the ones where God “showed up” at just the right (and seemingly last) moment. The time that we needed a certain amount of money to pay bills– and it showed up almost to the penny! Or that time I prayed about the teaching position. I lost out to another, more experienced candidate and spent much of the year doing substitute teaching in another county. And then, without warning, the school called to ask if I would consider coming back on probation for the same position I had lost out on– the teacher they had hired had developed significant health issues, and they needed a permanent sub for the end of the year. I was able to prove my worth, restoring order and bringing the classes back on track– I stayed for seven more years!

Waiting is not easy or pleasant. When I was almost five, I had a chance to go to kindergarten– My birthday is in November, and the school would allow “young fives”– students who would turn five before December 1st could interview for a chance to be accepted in the current year’s kindergarten. My parents considered it. I desperately wanted to go to school. But I had some lingering health issues from early childhood, and my parents worried that I would be susceptible to viruses and injuries. So, they held me back. I can still remember the ache of watching the school bus pass by my house– the humiliation of having adults ask if I was in school and having to answer, “not yet. I got held back.” It was like a badge of failure in my mind. “Not ready. Not healthy enough. Not good enough.” Years later, I can say that my parents made the best choice they knew how, and it worked out just fine for me. I loved school. I loved my classmates and teachers. And I had more time to be with my baby sister before I spent every day at school. I was older when I made decisions about college and career. I was more mature.

I waited a long time for a husband. I prayed for decades about marriage. And always, the answer seemed to be, “Not yet!” No explanation. No insight into whether I ever would be married. But in the waiting, I grew as a teacher and librarian. I found out that I could not have children of my own. I learned to manage on my own, and also how to reach out for help when needed. And I developed habits of Bible Study and Prayer that have become precious to me. My marriage is a fulfillment of patient waiting and listening to God’s voice, instead of making impatient and rash choices and shutting out the lessons along the way. Oh, and those children I could never have? I never had them. But I ended up with stepchildren and grandchildren who bless my life with love, laughter, and excitement.

God’s best is worth waiting for! I can testify to this on many levels. God doesn’t help “those who help themselves.” They literally “help themselves!” But God blesses those who wait patiently for Him. He doesn’t just show up at the last minute. He stays beside us in the waiting, He encourages us along the way, and He rejoices with us when we see the end from the beginning.

For more, see the following verses (and their context!):
Isaiah 40:31, Lamentations 3:25, Micah 7:7, Psalm 130:5, Romans 8:25, Psalm 40:1, Isaiah 49:23, 2 Peter 3:9, Psalm 27:13…

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Hello, My Name Is…

Have you ever been to a conference for work, or a large meeting or convention, where you were required to wear a temporary name badge?  It might be a simple sticker with a space to write your name, or it might be a pre-printed card set inside a clear plastic pouch attached to a lanyard or a safety pin.  It may have a stripe or box in a bright color, and/or an introductory word or phrase, such as “Hello..” or “My name is…”
Perhaps you’ve had to wear a name tag for work on a daily basis, or you have to carry an ID tag pinned to your shirt, lapel, or around your neck or waist.

Such tags serve a purpose; they are functional, if boring, and even if they are also annoying, they are temporary.  Some of them give a little more information, such as where you are from or what company, or plant, or building you represent.  Name tags make it easy to identify someone and put a name to a face.  But a name tag cannot reveal much beyond a person’s name.  Sometimes, a name tag doesn’t even meet that simple criterion.  I have a simple name, Lila, that is commonly misspelled and misspoken.  I have had people look right at my name tag and call me, “Lisa,” “Lily,” or “Leah.” Wearing my name on my shirt or hanging from my neck may (or may not) make me identifiable.  It does not make me knowable or known.

When we come before the Throne of God, we need no name tag.  God not only knows our name, He knows us intimately– our thoughts, our attitude, our fears, our hopes, our weaknesses and strengths. He has numbered the hairs on our heads, and knows the words we will say before they reach our tongues.

We do not need a name tag to come before God, but we also cannot wear a false name tag. God doesn’t just know who we SAY we are– or how we present our “best side.” He knows us better than we know ourselves– warts and all!

This knowledge might cause us apprehension– there can be no hiding from God–even if we can lie to ourselves about our actions, motivations, and feelings, we can’t lie to Him.  But this intimate knowledge should also ease our every fear– God knows all about us, and loves us unconditionally.

And that matters when we pray. God doesn’t want a laundry list of generic wishes or “spiritual” thoughts. He wants to hear from our heart. That means He wants our authentic voice–halting, confused, overwhelmed, questioning, tripping over the words, groaning, laughing, sobbing– He would rather hear US than hear the “right” words we think are “supposed” to say. He doesn’t want the kind of small talk you make when you are wearing a name tag and trying to impress a roomful of strangers.

God already knows. And He loves us eternally, abundantly, and perfectly!

Prayer can be many things– joyful, contrite, needy– but it never needs to be small talk!

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The Danger of Anger

Anger can be a difficult topic among those who are following Christ.  The Bible has a lot to say about anger, and most of us concentrate on the negative. But we are created in God’s image, and God himself experiences anger.  Anger itself is not a sin, but what we do with it can be dangerous, even deadly.

I don’t know anyone who has completely mastered the art of being angry without sinning, but here are a few things to consider, both negative and positive:  In our anger we can–

  • Act–act out immediately, rashly, full of adrenaline and heat, but without thought.
  • Narrow our focus–concentrate on our anger and what caused it, without seeing anything else.
  • Gripe–we can sound like a broken record, rehearsing the same complaints from yesterday, two weeks ago, or even years ago, but never taking any steps to resolve or try to move past the issue.
  • Exaggerate– as we narrow our focus, our hurt and indignation grows larger and more powerful.
  • Refuse–we refuse to see reason, to accept wisdom or help, or to acknowledge that our own actions and attitudes are adding to the hurt and chaos.

In contrast, the Bible gives us some godly principles for anger:

  • Acknowledge– Don’t suppress and deny anger, but don’t give in to it, to act immediately, either.  God is “slow to anger and abounding in mercy”     We should learn from his example.  The Apostle Paul says

Ephesians 4:26 New International Reader’s Version (NIRV)

26 Scripture says, “When you are angry, do not sin.” (Psalm 4:4) Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.

Anger unchecked causes us to use all of our energy in emotion and action.  Anger, controlled by the Holy Spirit, will cause us to use our energy to seek after answers, justice, resolution, and help

  • Navigate– our anger will drive us.  Let it drive us to prayer and positive action, rather than despair, rage, and revenge.

Psalm 37:8-9 New International Version (NIV)

8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
    do not fret—it leads only to evil.
9 For those who are evil will be destroyed,
    but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.

wood explosion fire hot
  • Give–Let go of anger, and trust that God:
    • sees your situation.  If there is injustice, it has NOT escaped God’s notice.
    • loves you unconditionally– whatever is causing you anger cannot cause Him to stop loving you, nor has it come about because God didn’t care.
    • is sovereign.  No matter how unfair or grim the situation, God CAN make something good come from it.  That doesn’t mean that you aren’t allowed to feel pain and anger, but wallowing in them may keep you from seeing the rest of the good things God has in store for you.

Check out these great verses about Trust!

  • Evaluate– Instead of narrowing your focus and resisting advice, channel your anger into positive thought and action.  Listen, learn, ask proactive questions–is there more to your anger than anger? (Grief, guilt, betrayal, hurt, shock, etc.)  What can you do (if anything) to make the situation better, instead of waiting for someone else to act, or getting caught in a cycle of blame?

Here are 33 verses to help with Anger Management

  • Resolve– Anger should be a red light, not a red flag.  It should cause us to stop, assess, and only proceed when the way ahead is clear.  If your anger is sparked by a conflict, resolve to do whatever you can to “resolve” the conflict.  If that is not possible, or if your anger stems from a different source, be resolute in taking the emotion, energy, and drive that comes with anger and channel it into a better direction.  Resolve to be quick to pray, and slow to burn!

 

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Praying From the Pantry

I grew up in an old farmhouse. It had a small room off the kitchen, with a back door leading outside, a place for shoes and boots, a small sink to wash up, and endless shelves. Some people call it a “mudroom,” a place where farmers got rid of the mud and muck from working outdoors. But we didn’t own the farmland surrounding the house, so mom used it as her pantry. She used the shelves to stock up on canned goods, spices, canisters of staples like flour and sugar, and even Tupperware for leftovers. Dad used the sink to wash up when he got home from work at the factory, and we kept boots on a rug off to the side– handy when winter arrived, and out of the way for the rest of the year. Mom also used some of the space as a broom closet– storing a broom and mop and a few cleaning supplies.

I grew up taking this space for granted. But, looking back, it was a luxury to have so much space and to have it filled with food. Sometimes, we would get snowed in for several days, and we never had to worry about running out of food. These days, I have a couple of drawers and a cabinet for storage, and I am so grateful when I “run out” of handy storage space, for it means that we have plenty.

I am so grateful to God for His abundance in my own little ‘pantry.’ And its contents can also prompt my pursuit of prayer and worship! Here are some examples:

  • I am reminded that “I CAN do all things through Christ, who gives me strength!” (Philippians 4:13)
  • I have PEAS that “passes all understanding” to guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7)
  • Even when the FLOUR “fades and the grass withers”, the word of God stands forever. (Isaiah 40:8)
  • “A cheerful heart is good MEDICINE..” (Proverbs 17:22) Or maybe sometimes, a CHEERIOS heart?
  • “How sweet are Your words to my taste, Sweeter than HONEY to my mouth!” (Psalm 119:103)
  • I am to be the “SALT of the earth” (Matthew 5:13)
  • If I have the faith of a MUSTARD seed, I can move mountains! (see Matthew 17:20)
  • “Be KIND to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32 (Kind is a brand of snack bar with nuts and fruit)
  • I need to keep my heart in TUNA with scripture!
  • “I was young, and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging for BREAD.” (Psalm 37:25)
  • God is SOUP-ernatural and sovereign over my life!
  • Even our COFFEE pods remind me of the great heroes of the faith– found in HE BREWS 11!
  • I am a new creation in Christ; “the old has PASTA way: behold the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)
  • “He anoints my head with OIL, my CUP overflows” (Psalm 23:5)

And of course, I have many reasons to thank God for all the other blessings He pours out– in and out of my pantry! And often, I am reminded to share that bounty with others– both the bounty of food, and the bounty of God’s Word! Today, I pray that you have a bounty (BOUNTY, as in paper towels?) in your pantry, and that you have a bounty of scripture to encourage you and guide you through the day.

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