Family, we are in a battle of balancing finance and morality. Pride versus humility. With all that has been happening Ephesians 4:26 keeps echoing in my mind. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath (KJV). We read this and take it at face value but stop there. However, it goes much deeper than that. It is a warning about guarding our hearts and minds.
It’s easy to fall into emotion of something but we as believers must not succumb to our emotions. There are a myriad of verses in the bible regarding being sober of mind. It doesn’t mean to be a robot and deny your emotions but to feel that emotion and choose a course of action that brings about peace. Now, most of us don’t have the ability to change the world but we do have the ability to change our personal environments. We have the ability to change how we respond.
Be angry and sin not. We can feel anger. However, we can’t go around taking it out on other people because we are hurt. We feel we’re left with no choice but to turn to violence. No choice but to demonstrate with wrongdoing because our voices are not being heard. Our leaders are not thinking about the society that they lead. Preferring personal gain over doing right by the people. We are in a position of helplessness. However, God says there is another option.
1 Corinthians 10:13 (KJV) states There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. We like to quote this scripture but we forget the second part. God provides a way to escape. Sure, we’re tempted to anger. But, God always provides a way to quell that anger and turn it into something constructive.
What escape did God provide for you? Many times we don’t choose God’s escape plan because, let’s face it, sometimes releasing anger feels good in the moment. However, think about the aftermath of that release. I don’t know about you but I no longer feel good after a release. In fact, it left me in a shameful state apologizing and begging forgiveness from all involved. The worst part? I wasn’t healed. I just made a fool of myself. When I began to release my anger into God’s hands, I’ve always felt better than when I just exploded. There was also an unexpected bonus. I got a blessing that blessed others every. Single. Time. There is healing in putting it in God’s hands.
I’m not saying I get it right every time but I’m catching myself more often than not. Romans 12:19 (KJV) says Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. In case you didn’t recognize it, this is an escape hatch for us. Don’t occupy yourselves with taking vengeance on those who have wronged you. God is telling us that He sees what we are going through. He sees who is wronging us. He sees the injustices against us. There are those that want to make this view sound like we’re laying down and letting a tractor trailer roll over us. However, as a believer, you should know better than that.
Malachi 3:10 (KJV) says Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. Normally, God doesn’t invite people to test Him, but in this instance, God was a lotta bit upset. The priests were leading the people astray and it caused all kinds of disobedience but God looked at them and said, “Bring it!”
He wanted the people to test His goodness because they had stopped believing in it. I would like to present a challenge to you, family. I challenge you to look for your escape hatch. Don’t be distracted by what you are seeing. God is still in control, alive and well, and sitting on His throne. Remember 2 Corinthians 5:7 (KJV) For we walk by faith, not by sight. When you find yourselves being moved by what you are seeing and reading, turn it off. Ask God, “Where is my escape hatch?” ~ Selah
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