BE ANGRY.....

     This week has been a hard one.  As I watch the news I see that our possible next president is reckless and careless with information that our enemies don’t need to have access to.  I listen and discover that she has told many lies running from accountability.  Then I learn that she is seemingly above the laws that others have to live by.  I feel angry.

    And then yesterday just to the West of me in our neighboring state of Texas news reports tell of five police officers being gunned down simply because they are white police officers.  Two of my daughters are married to law enforcement officers.  I grieve for these families.  I feel angry.

    I see the freedoms we enjoy eroding away and I feel the oppressive politically correct nonsense of misguided leaders being forced on us.  I feel angry.

    In Ephesians 4:26 the Bible tells us to be angry….that’s nice cause boy I am angry.  But wait, there is more.  It says, “In your anger do not sin:  Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.  Be angry and sin not.

    Anger is a natural response when there is injustice and cruelty and senseless pain inflected on others.  Smacking people doesn’t fall into the “sin not” area.  Becoming a vigilante probably isn’t the right thing either.  Our true enemy is not flesh and blood.  Notice that the verse warns us not to give the devil a foothold.  Presidential candidates are not the enemy.  Racist hate filled activists are not the enemy. Our anger and our action should be directed toward the true enemy.  He hates when we pray, so pray hard.  Pray for those who are hurting, pray for those with whom you differ.  Pray for your community and your leaders.  Pray for truth and light to shine.

    Our enemy also hates when we forgive and when we encourage one another.  So forgive and encourage each other.  Our enemy also hates when we praise love and praise the Messiah.  Love Him, and praise Him, draw close to Him, hear His voice as He shows you what to do with your anger. Use the strength and power of your anger against the real enemy.

     Be angry………….but sin not.