Anger Is A Tell
Your opinions are challenged. You get angry. You have unmet expectations. You get angry. People question your decisions. You get angry. Ever stopped to ask why? Why does something, usually a trifle, get me so worked up? It’s a “tell.” The area to look at and talk to yourself about is “Why am I so quick to flash?”
There are many possible reasons. It’s possible you don’t know Jesus Christ and have a personal relationship with Him. As a result, you don’t have His Spirit living in you and helping you make right choices. Another reason is that we are insecure and look in the wrong place for feedback. The world measures us on (surprise), worldly success. What degrees? From What Schools? What job title? How big is my bank account? If we don’t meet someone else’s worldly definition of success, we feel inadequate, unimportant, a loser. And these feelings of low self-worth can trigger anger.
But ask yourself,
“When was the world right about anything?” The only question that should guide your confidence has nothing to do with the world’s standards. God’s “test,” the only question He grades on is, “What did you do with My Son, Jesus?”
Not one of Jesus’ disciples was well-educated or rich. Most were considered on the lower rungs of the social ladder. Even so, Jesus chose them to carry His message to the world. Why? What did they have to offer? From a worldly perspective, not much. But isn’t that just like Jesus to take what little is offered and turn it into pearls? Remember the lad who offered 5 loaves (biscuits) and two fish, enough to maybe feed a family of six? (John 6:9). In Jesus’ hands, it fed over 5,000.
What do you have to offer
that the world might look down on but in Jesus’ hands could be exactly what somebody else needs? The first step, the most important step, is to make sure you’re right with God by having a personal relationship with Jesus. If you haven’t recognized your sinfulness and accepted His forgiveness and imputation of righteousness based on Jesus’ death and resurrection, no matter the amount of good works, big donations, or even controlling your anger, qualifies you to answer the question correctly.
The only answer that counts is some form of “I believe Jesus died for MY sins and I received His FREE gift of forgiveness and salvation.” If you have done that then the good deeds you do in His name, e.g. a word of encouragement to a friend who is down, a ride to take someone to visit a sick shut-in, raking leaves for an elderly neighbor in the fall, will add rewards to your heavenly bank account. The list of how to serve Jesus by serving others is endless. The key? A willing heart. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13).
Why not make today
the day you realize that your security is solid in Christ. A few posts ago (Who Am I Really?), I listed a few verses that will encourage you, confirm your heritage, and address your future. As a believer in Jesus Christ, all of these promises are yours. They’re so important I’ve relisted them here:
- I’m a child of the King (Luke 18:16)
- I was chosen by God (Col. 3:12; 2Thess. 2:13)
- I’m forgiven (Eph. 1:7; Col. 2:13)
- I’m righteous in God’s eyes (2 Cor. 5:21)
- I have a reservation in heaven (John 3:16)
- “…and no one is able to snatch them [me] out of the Father’s hand” (John 10:29)
If you’re not feeling secure because you’re out of God’s hand, check out our Steps To Salvation section. Now go out and look around for someone who could use some loaves and fish.