Midweek Encouragement - “Useless Anger”

“Useless Anger”

        ^{“Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.”}

^{Psalm 37:8 NIV}

         ^{I was driving home from visiting someone in the hospital today and I was listening to a talk radio station. The person coming through my car’s radio was discussing the political situation, the war in Ukraine, the controversy over Israel’s “abuse” of Gaza . . . one issue after another. Anger flowed through me as I listened because most, if not all, of those issues are out of my hands. Before I knew it, I noticed my right foot getting heavier and my little car going faster on the expressway. I was racing along, exceeding the speed limit. My anger could have led me into a disastrous wreck.}

         ^{Injustice angers me. Media reports stab me with reports of violence. Wars and reports of thousands of casualties. Special reports about human trafficking. Lately I’ve been feeling helpless in a violent society that leaves behind too much suffering. And every time I check the mailbox at church I weed through pleas for help from ministries trying to care for runaway teenagers and victims of drunk drivers. All that angers me!}

         ^{Webster defines anger as an “impulse to retaliate.” But what can I do to fight against the wrongs and hurts of society? My helplessness in the face of wrongs and injustice leaves me feeling frustrated. Life seems so cruel and there’s little I can do about it.}

         ^{But God is showing me something. The wrongs in this world are like my neglected back yard during a wet summer. When mowing season rolls around, those overgrown weeds and grass will need an aggressive lawn mower. But I can only cut one swath at a time. Soon I’ll persist and whittle away at the grass, cutting round and round the yard until the lawn is restored to order. Until the next week . . . when it’ll need cut again. The days of that seemingly endless task are coming soon.}

         ^{Here’s the good news I want you to hear in this week’s PD’s Mid-Week Encouragement. The Lord doesn’t expect us to restore order to the whole world. That’s His job. Our anger and frustration only hinder God’s work. Instead, we can contribute our offerings to genuine needs. Or, better yet, we can intercede in prayer for some sore spot on this earth. Or share our faith with someone who needs to hear some really good news.}

^

         ^{My friend, as we cut our swaths where God calls us, doing our part, let’s trust God to cure the ills of this universe. And when we let Him do what He does best, we’ll sleep better and drive a little slower. Let the Lord show you how useless your anger is. Let Him be part of your plan to help others in need.}

^{For those of you who will be in worship at the Mt. Laurel Church of God this coming Sunday, March 24, my message will be based on this Scripture:}

^{John 12:12-16}

^{Pastor Dale}

Pastor Dale (PD) and Pamela his wife are honored to serve the Mt. Laurel Church of God. If this Mid-Week Encouragement has helped you, perhaps it may encourage someone else. Feel free to share this message with anyone you choose. And if you'd like to receive PD's Mid-Week Encouragement, just send an email to (kingdomguy@gmail.com) and I'll accommodate your request.