via TJC
For a fire is kindled in My anger, and it shall burn to the lowest hell; It shall consume the earth with her increase, And set on fire the foundations of the mountains.
-Deuteronomy 32:22
Rage and I are old drinking buddies. Seems like it doesn’t matter how long it’s been since we last met, we have no trouble picking up right where we left off. The truth is I’ve always had a talent for finding something to be angry about. When I was younger I was angry at my parents for moving, angry at my teachers for going so slow, angry that I couldn’t do what I wanted whenever I wanted. I was angry my mother got cancer and I thought she was going to die, then when she made a full recovery all she wanted was the bottle. Now, my wife describes me as a volcano that will go off from time to time unpredictably.
It’s no wonder where our capacity for anger comes from when we look at scripture. Some of the most chilling descriptions of anger are found describing God’s wrath, and we are made in His image! When I look in the mirror some days I see that rage that would set fire to the mountains looking back at me…but I also see the selfish child I used to be that would burn things down just to get his way.
The Kingdom warrior must utilize anger to organize his violence properly. The world tells men not to be angry…not to be toxic…not to fight. I’ve spent decades working on my anger, and the only thing that moved the needle was crushing my own will and submitting to the will of Jesus Christ. He is the only perfect judge, and just like God did in the Old Testament there are things that inspire the rage and wrath of the Lord. What moved the needle for me was realizing that the things He is angry about are the fights worth fighting, and everything else that I might get upset about is vapor in the wind.
Daily Battle Order:
Today, take stock of where the energy of your anger is going. Is it rage, flailing out uncontrollably at your wife? Your kids? Your co-workers and subordinates? Or is it organized properly and helping you fulfill your Kingdom warrior’s purpose? One way to tell is to ask yourself, “Would you stand tall before God and defend your anger?”
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