Taking Out Our Anger
There are moments in my life where I would get a big, fat, red FAIL written all across my face.
Reference: v.20 “I will make you a wall to this people, a fortified wall of bronze; they will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you to rescue and save you,” declares the Lord. (NIV Bible)
Explore: There are moments in my life where I would get a big, fat, red FAIL written all across my face. These moments usually come when I am stressed and feel like I’m in over my head. When my emotions are right on the edge it is then that I tend to take out my frustration on the people around me… particularly my family. Short words that are not called for, unrealistic expectations, and picking stupid fights are just some of my lowest moments when I’m feeling grumpy. My most common offense is when I’m feeling stressed about work and I pick a fight with my husband because, although he’s been working 12 hour days, he hasn’t put his washing away or he doesn’t offer to do the dishes or he leaves his lunch wrappers in the front seat of the car. All things that really don’t matter at all but it’s so much easier to pick a fight with him than deal with my own stressful emotions.
Application: Luckily for us God does not treat his family in the same way. When He is hurt and angry and frustrated He doesn’t take it out on the people that He is closest to. We see this when He talks to Jeremiah. The people of Judah have been so disobedient and yet Jeremiah has stayed faithful to what God has called him to do. God could lump Jeremiah in with all the other rebellious people or maybe even take out His anger on Jeremiah because he’s closest but instead He tells him that He will rescue and save him. God would say the same to us as well. If we are willing to turn from our sin and be who God has called us to be, then these words of verse 20 are for us as well. Whatever we are going through, God is with us. May we remember how He deals with His loved ones and strive to do the same.
Prayer: Lord, harsh words come so easily when we are going through a difficult time. May we hold our tongues and show Your love and support to the people who we are close to. Amen.
Who have you lashed out at recently? How could you have responded differently?
This article was written by Linda Bailey
Linda started theological studies in 1999 in Australia. After working for ten years in various church ministries, she now works as the breakfast producer at 89.9 LightFM - the Christian radio station in Melbourne, Australia. She writes blogs every day about passages she is currently reading in the Bible. Follow her on Google Plus +Linda Bailey or Facebook by clicking the like button on the right of this page.