How Ya Feeling?Shembull

I've Had Enough

Sometimes the days feel more like a boxing ring than anything else. You’ve constantly got your hands up and your feet moving, ready to block out or attack whatever life decides to throw at you. And when we get knocked down, anger can get the best of us. In that moment, it feels better to yell back, slam on your horn, respond in cynicism, or send 140-characters worth of rage into the universe. 

We’ve all acted out of anger-you’ve probably already done it this week! Usually, the rage that sends us in fighting for another round is usually a sign that something deeper is out of alignment. In Matthew 12:34, Jesus says, “For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.” Angry reactions are usually a feeble attempt to control what’s out of alignment; we divert attention from an injured sense of pride, push down that deep-seated insecurity, or distract ourselves momentarily from a long-buried fear. And rather than figuring out what’s really going on, we punch back in an attempt to avoid the issue. But James tells us to instead “…be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry;  for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God” (James 1:19-20). We see in Psalm 107 that true righteousness - real peace - only comes by crying out to God in those moments of weakness and allowing Him to show us what’s really going on inside.

“Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
 and he brought them out of their distress.
 He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven.”  (Psalm 107:28-30)

Only by continually asking Him to reveal what’s hidden in our hearts can we can finally put our hands down, stop punching back, and find rest.

Reflect and Discuss

1.  Think about the last time you responded to someone out of anger. Why do you think you responded the way you did? How could you have responded differently?
2.  Think about a good habit you can start practicing that will enable you to be “quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry…”. Maybe it’s taking a deep breath and counting to 3 in your head before you respond or walking out of the room for a moment. Talk about it with a close friend and ask them to hold you accountable in your responses.

Prayer 

God, help me to seek You in moments when I want to fight back. Give me wisdom in every situation, so that I can see what’s really going on inside of me. Heal my heart, Lord, and help me to look more like You every day. I know that true rest is only found in You. Amen. 

We hope this reading plan encouraged you to lean into your emotions with God and others. We would love to hear how this conversation has impacted you. Email us at KeepTalking@secc.org.