Anger

Did someone accuse you falsely or someone you loved? A year and a half ago someone accused my grandson of causing destruction and then insinuated that I lied when I said that he did not do it. Everytime I see this person, I see red! Its not that I dwell on it, as it is not in my mind until I see him.

Last night I went to a meeting and our accuser was also there. As I sat in the meeting I realized that this anger that I had was poisoning me. There was a hard ball where my heart should be and I did not think I could make myself look kindly. I tried to dismiss it, but could not make it go away.

When the meeting was over, a kindly neighbor lady came and talked to me, and the bitterness in me dissolved to a great degree, and then others joined us. When I left I was able to be remotely kind to the person that falsely accused us. This is where prayer and forgiveness is going to have to take over. What kind of relationship do we have with our God when we can't see beyond our own anger?

We are told in Colossians 3:8

But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, 11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.

Is it possible to keep ourselves holy? Our God has great confidence that we are able to do so and instructs us to do so in Colossians 3:12

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

May we all find love for one another. God help us all.