Have you ever been so mad at someone that you have said or done something that was fueled by anger or hurt and later felt regret? I have... I'm sure we all have. We are all made to be self reliant and with self reliance comes emotions. Emotions are tricky and can be fuel for Satan, he loves it when we are angry!
Ephesians 4:26
“In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,” (NIV)
Such a powerful statement. Do not go to bed angry, but how many times do we go to bed angry? It's so easy to be angry, but it's so hard to forgive. Why is this? When Jesus was on the cross dying, his main concern was for God to forgive those that were sinning against him. Being the emotional human that I am, this is hard for me to understand. Why and how was Jesus able to do this. He LOVED us that much and continues to love us, even as we sin in anger and go to bed angry. We must ask ourselves then, how do we get to a place where God is in control and our self reliance is not?
Ephesians 4:32
“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (ESV)
God is the epitome of love and forgiveness, but what does that really mean? We all experience this unconditional love with our children. We are very good at copying the love our father in Heaven gives us and then in turn giving it to our children. Most of us are really good about having that same unconditional love for our spouses. What about that important commandment, Love thy neighbor. We are not so good about having that same unconditional love for our neighbors. If we look at the cross and what the cross signifies, horizontally it is God's love, and vertically it is the love we are to give to everyone else (our neighbors, this includes children, husbands, friends, neighbors, and even strangers).
Be quick to forgive, remember this:
Titus 3:3-5
“Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other.
But – “When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.” (NLT)
I have hurt many people with my words over the years and looking back it was because I was hurt or angry. I needed to be validated, heard, understood. Looking back, I realize that this was not what I needed. God's Love was needed. I needed to ask God to forgive me for my hardened heart and allow his love to fill within me, so that I could in turn share that wonderful love with others. Forgive each other friends, do not go to bed angry. Do not place blame, but allow God to show you the heart of your friend, family, or neighbor.
