Anger And Forgiveness

One of the most esteemed and honored paintings in the world is The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci. It is a marvel of grace and beauty, peace and calmness.

While da Vinci was in the process of painting it, one of his friends came to visit him. As they were talking, da Vinci became angry with him. As they continued arguing, he completely lost his temper and lashed out at his guest with bitter words.

After the man left his studio, he returned to his canvas to paint the face of Christ. Try as he would, he could not bring himself to continue his work on this part of the painting. His madness made him so miserable that he had to stop what he was doing.

Finally, after putting down his brushes, he searched out the man he had quarreled with to ask for his forgiveness. The man accepted his apology and da Vinci returned to his easel and completed painting the face of our Lord.

Anger is one of our most destructive emotions. It not only reveals a weakness in us but a true lack of our faith in God to solve our problems. When we act in anger, it is because we want to control others, usually to the point of harming them in one way or another. God made all of us different, and when we disagree with another person, it’s not who is right or wrong, but God wanting us to look at what is going on and see if there is something we can learn from one another.

Prayer: Lord, we need to be patient with others whom You love as much as You do each of us. When we disagree, give us the patience to be kind and think carefully. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Psalm 37:8 Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper - it only leads to harm.

Anger And Forgiveness

One of the most esteemed and honored paintings in the world is The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci. It is a marvel of grace and beauty, peace and calmness.

While da Vinci was in the process of painting it, one of his friends came to visit him. As they were talking, da Vinci became angry with him. As they continued arguing, he completely lost his temper and lashed out at his guest with bitter words.

After the man left his studio, he returned to his canvas to paint the face of Christ. Try as he would, he could not bring himself to continue his work on this part of the painting. His madness made him so miserable that he had to stop what he was doing.

Finally, after putting down his brushes, he searched out the man he had quarreled with to ask for his forgiveness. The man accepted his apology and da Vinci returned to his easel and completed painting the face of our Lord.

Anger is one of our most destructive emotions. It not only reveals a weakness in us but a true lack of our faith in God to solve our problems. When we act in anger, it is because we want to control others, usually to the point of harming them in one way or another. God made all of us different, and when we disagree with another person, it’s not who is right or wrong, but God wanting us to look at what is going on and see if there is something we can learn from one another.

Prayer:Lord, we need to be patient with others whom You love as much as You do each of us. When we disagree, give us the patience to be kind and think carefully. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Psalm 37:8 Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper - it only leads to harm.

How To Self-Destruct

It was the second class of the new semester. The professor entered the classroom walking rapidly. Before getting behind his desk he shouted, “Hold up your assignment with your right hand!” One student, however, held up his assignment with his left hand.

Angrily the professor looked at the student and shouted, “Your right hand you stupid idiot!”

Calmly, the student responded, “Sir, this is the only hand I have. I lost my right hand in combat.”

The Greeks defined anger as a “brief madness.” In Scripture it has several meanings, including “strong feelings of displeasure, fury or wrath.” Whichever meaning we choose leads to the same outcome: the expression of destructive behavior. When we become angry, we are not in control of ourselves and we do things that are displeasing to God and harmful to others.

The Psalmists always give good advice. When speaking of anger and self-control one of them said, “Stop your anger! Turn from your wrath.”

When we become angry, we usually become frustrated, lose control of our emotions and then take it out on others. We think that we know what they should do and assume a role that is reserved for God.

Better for the Christian to turn anger into affection and frustration into forgiveness and prayer.

Prayer: Help us, Savior, to fill our hearts with Your love. May we honor others as You do, Lord, and seek to build them up rather than to tear them down in anger. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 37:8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret – it leads only to evil.

Anger In Action

A college professor was having a difficult time getting his students to do their required assignments. As the class was about to end he said emphatically, “When you come to class tomorrow, it would be wise to have your assignment completed and ready for my review.”

The next day when class began he said in a loud, threatening voice, “Hold up your papers with your right hand!” All of the students complied with his demand except one. He held up his paper with his left hand.

Incensed, the professor shouted, “Right hand stupid, not your left hand. Don’t you know the difference?”

“Yes, sir, I do sir,” said the student. “But I lost my right hand in combat.”

The Greeks had a special phrase for anger. They called it “a brief madness.” It seems appropriate. When we become angry we lose control of ourselves and we often say things that are hurtful and harmful.

David the Psalmist was wise when he wrote, “Stop your anger! Turn from your rage....it only leads to harm.”

Anger and rage are destructive emotions that reveal a desire to dominate and control others. That is God’s responsibility. Ours is to concentrate on God and His grace and find peace as we trust Him to control us.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help us to turn our anger into affection and our frustration into faith – knowing that You will turn our trials into triumphs. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 37:8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret—it only causes harm.

Anger And Forgiveness

One of the most esteemed and honored paintings in the world is The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci. It is a marvel of grace and beauty, peace and calmness.

While da Vinci was in the process of painting it, one of his friends came to visit him. As they were talking da Vinci became angry with him. As they continued their conversation he completely lost his temper and lashed out at his guest with bitter words.

After the man left his studio he returned to his canvas to paint the face of Christ. Try as he would he could not bring himself to continue his work on this part of the painting. His anger made him so miserable that he had to stop what he was doing.

Finally, after putting down his brushes he searched out the man he had quarreled with to ask for his forgiveness. The man accepted his apology and da Vinci returned to his easel and completed painting the face of our Lord.

Anger is one of our most destructive emotions. It not only reveals a weakness in us but a true lack of our faith in God. When we act in anger it is because we want to control others, usually to the point of harming them in one way or another. God made all of us different and when we disagree with another person it’s not who is right or wrong, but God wanting us to look at ourselves, our anger and the damage it is doing to us.

Prayer: Lord, we need to be patient with others whom You love as much as You do each of us. When we disagree, give us grace to be kind and think carefully. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 37:8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret – It leads only to evil.