11/26/17 Psalm 147
What kind of things get you animated enough to yell or scream? What evokes that kind of anger or that kind of happy? Or that kind of frustration? Or embarrassment? Or when you get that defensive or that excited?
When was the last time you screamed at the top of your lungs, in excitement or in disgust? Not that it’s a requirement, but there are some things that are probably NOT better off left inside us.
We are to be angry, and yet we are not to sin (Ephesians 4:26). So, what is meant to happen with that anger? It says there we basically shouldn’t let the sun go down before dealing with it, in other words, we should deal with it fairly, quickly. Because if we don’t, it will begin to eat away at us from the inside out and then show itself at precisely the wrong time. That’s when you’ll be able to conveniently blame your sudden outburst on something that’s been bugging you from before. Had you dealt with that anger in a timely manner it would not have been crouching there at your door waiting to “pounce” (Gen 4:7).
Neglecting praise can be as bad as not letting anger out. We are to give both praise to people for good things they’ve done or for achievements they’ve worked hard to accomplish. And we are to give praise to God Himself, for who He is, and for the things He has done and is doing. Encourage people and praise God as appropriate for each.
So why do we insist on harboring resentment or anger? Or praise or encouragement? Nothing good can come of withholding either. What bad can come of it?
"Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life.” (Proverbs 13:12)
How does this verse speak to all of this?
Remember this: people need to hear your praise and encouragement for them, but God just wants to hear your praise and appreciation. And guess what? God will take your anger too. Give them both your praise AND anger to God.
Giving God praise is a tree of life for you. And giving God your anger brings life as well. Let it go. Give it to God. Give them both to God. Give the situation that is causing that root of bitterness to God. He can make life come from it.
If you’re taking your anger out on SOMEONE you say you love today
, rather than letting it out to God, someone is getting hurt... and it's not God, He can take it.
Give it all to Him.
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