Daily Power #206

Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. (Eph. 4:26–27)

I hate painting our house. And even more, I hate the fact that it has to be painted again and again every few years. We don’t always get a lot of snow in Oklahoma where I live, but we get plenty of rain, wind, hail, and sleet. The weather chips away at my beautiful paint job, wearing away the layer of protection it provides for the layers beneath. And when it’s not bad weather stripping it away, the sun is beating down on it and fading away the color.

Anger has that kind of friction on our faith. Just as Jesus became angry and did not sin, we’re called to express righteous anger appropriately. But so much of my anger isn’t righteous—and I don’t always express it appropriately. Instead I want to yell at the guy who tweeted the snarky comment about our church, or I want to bump the little sports car that just took my parking spot at the mall.

But that’s not very Christlike.

So I try to practice patience and compassion and let go of my anger. Because if I don’t, I know it will strip away my faith, one layer at a time, leaving me cold and vulnerable to the Enemy’s weapons. I don’t want to give the Enemy an opportunity to pour gasoline on my temper.

When you feel the anger rising inside of you, how do you usually handle it? Are you giving the devil a foothold? Or are you using your anger as a way to draw closer to God and depend on him?

Power Lift

There are so many things that get my blood boiling, Lord. Give me your patience and strength to remain focused on you and your peace.