Where Do I Go? Devotions From Time of GraceSample

Where do I go with my anger?

How do you get angry? Are you the kind who flares up intensely, unleashes an outburst, and then calms down quickly and a day later can’t even remember the argument? Or do you passively get angry inside and let it build and build and build? Well, neither is healthy or helpful: “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires” (James 1:19,20).

Anger is not bad in and of itself—God himself gets angry. Our problem is that our sinful perceptions, reasoning, judgment, and brakes are faulty. We sometimes take offense at things that aren’t offenses, brood over wrongs and refuse to forgive, enjoy feeling smug and righteous, and grossly overestimate our wisdom in meting out punishments.

Is there anger in your heart right now? Be honest. Where do you go with it? Don’t store it up! Don’t explode and vent it out! In your mind and heart, go to the cross of Christ and drain it out on the ground, right there, on the sacred ground where his blood dripped. Let it go. Let God take care of judging and punishing. If you’ve been victimized, pray for God to straighten the person out. If you are in the wrong, let the forgiveness of Christ wash over you and heal you.

You are not God’s agent of wrath in the world. You are his agent of mercy.

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