Explosion

Ephesians 4:26-32

Mariana stomped into the house, slamming the door behind her. “Elena bugged me all day yesterday, and now she’s wearing my very best shirt!” she said. Tears streamed down her face as she kicked a nearby chair. She had been angry at her sister, Elena, all week until finally there was a blowup.

“Pick up that chair, sit down, and cool your temper,” Mom said. “I’ll be right back.” Soon Mom returned, carrying a photo album. She pulled up a chair, opened the book, and began flipping the pages. “One summer my friend Carole and I rented a place for a week,” Mom said, pointing to a picture of a small red cottage. “It was great, until we decided to bake stuffed pasta shells.” She wrapped her arm around Mariana. “I opened the oven while Carole lit the match. At first nothing happened. Then . . . BANG! Whoosh! A bright yellow flash smacked our faces.”

“Were you hurt?” Mariana asked.

“We both had deep burns,” Mom said. “And the kitchen was a mess.”

“Why did it happen?” Mariana asked.

“It was the first time the oven was lit that season, and dirt had clogged the gas line,” Mom explained. “When the gas forced its way through, it came with a rush and caused an explosion. Do you know why I told you that story?”

Mariana looked at the floor. “Because my temper exploded?” she guessed.

Mom nodded. “If the oven had been cleaned and the dirt hadn’t been allowed to build up, the explosion would have been prevented,” she said.

“I guess I should have talked to Elena about what was making me angry rather than letting it build up, huh?” said Mariana.

“That’s right,” said Mom. “Let’s pray first; then we’ll talk with Elena and get this whole thing straightened out.”

How about You?

Do you let bad feelings build until you’re out of control? When you feel upset with someone, ask God to help you deal with both the situation and your feelings. Then work out the conflict in a loving manner before the day ends.

Memorize:

“And ‘don’t sin by letting anger gain control over you.’ Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry.” Ephesians 4:26