On Limiting Collateral Damage
Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. – James 1:19-20
So yesterday I admitted I had a problem. That’s the first important step, right?
Today, it’s time to slime the slime boss and make his foothold a thing of the past. Prepare to slip, evil one.
I’ve done my best to find a path.
Your own ears will hear him.
Right behind you a voice will say,
“This is the way you should go,”
whether to the right or to the left. – Isaiah 30:21
1. Don’t Stuff Your Feelings
God does not hold the old adage, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” He’s invited you and He longs for you to pour out your heart to Him. He really, really does. He doesn’t want you to hold back or pretend. And Heaven forbid you give Him the silent treatment.
All of those close to His heart have spoken their anger and despair to Him, right at loud. Rather than pulling away, He draws even closer. Your honesty invites Him. Or did you forget that relationship goes both ways?
For you examine us every morning
and test us every moment.
Why won’t you leave me alone,
at least long enough for me to swallow!
If I have sinned, what have I done to you,
O watcher of all humanity?
Why make me your target?
Am I a burden to you? – Job 7:18-20
O Lord, why do you stand so far away?
Why do you hide when I am in trouble? – Psalm 10:1
At about three o’clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” – Matthew 27:46
He welcomes your honest communication. Right this minute, or any time night or day.
My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.”
And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.” – Psalm 27:8
2. Find a creative outlet for your nervous energy.
Some of the best examples of art in all forms has come from difficult times. The most heartfelt music, the most amazing paintings, the sweetest poetry. Whatever your expression of choice, channel your anger and frustration into creation in its purest form.
Nothing with God is ever, ever wasted.
You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. – Genesis 50:20
After everyone was full, Jesus told his disciples, “Now gather the leftovers, so that nothing is wasted.” – John 6:12
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. – Romans 8:28
Mold your anger into something beautiful. Don’t wait. Do it now. Someone needs it.
He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. – 2 Corinthians 1:4
3. Out with the old, In with the new.
Each night, prepare for the coming dawn. God is able to do amazing things overnight. Anger is erased. Mercies are new. Hope begins afresh. Peace begins to flow. Whatever anger and frustration you accumulate in a day, make a date with the Lord to do numbers 1 and 2 above, and go to bed with a clean slate.
I know it doesn’t seem like something this easy to say, will actually work. Overnight, Shelly? REALLY? That’s your big plan? I hear you. I really do. But take God at His word every day for a week, and see what He’ll do. What have you got to lose? Well, besides a lot of collateral damage and the enemy in your camp…
For his anger lasts only a moment,
but his favor lasts a lifetime!
Weeping may last through the night,
but joy comes with the morning. – Psalm 30:5
The faithful love of the Lord never ends!
His mercies never cease.
Great is his faithfulness;
his mercies begin afresh each morning. – Lamentations 3:22-23
For I am about to do something new.
See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?
I will make a pathway through the wilderness.
I will create rivers in the dry wasteland. – Isaiah 43:19
Trust him. Just step out in faith and do it for one week, every single day. Come back and let me know how it goes, ok?
Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.” – Matthew 19:26
I’ll be taking the week-long challenge. Frankly, it’s long overdue. Starting right this minute. Are you with me? We’ll meet back here next Friday to compare notes. Oh, and I’ll be praying for you on your journey, too. <3
God of the Impossible, Please be with us as we surrender to you this week. We surrender our anger, our sorrow, our frustration, and our doubts. Prove us wrong, Lord. Do what only You can do. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…
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May God Bless You,
Shelly
This was great; thank you, Shelley. May you be filled with a beautiful and blessed weekend filled with strength to fight the fight, but also relief from some of the daily pain you endure.
Hugs! Tammy
Tammy+Ingram recently posted…Living With Addiction Day 14 ~ Shame Broken Behavior
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