We have a lot going on in the month of November! Clink on the link below to see what’s happening!
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Hey friends! Guess what?? It’s almost Fall Festival TIME!!!! WOOOHOOOO!! If you have never been to our Fall Festival, you need to come. It’s a lot of fun and the kids have a blast. Make sure you spread the word and let everyone know. Remember, it’s next Sunday from 5pm-6:30pm.
Speaking of spreading the word…have you ever thought about what kind of influence you are? Are you a positive or negative influence? Well, let’s talk about it.
Overall, I think I am a glass half full kinda person. Don’t get me wrong, when I get negative, I am pretty negative. But, I like to believe people are generally good. I know that’s not the case of all people. I also know, people are sinners and not perfect. Just because they sin, doesn’t make them a bad person, it means they made a bad decision. Churches are made up of imperfect, sinful people. Sometimes, as we attend our church, we might learn something about a fellow member or church goer that “upsets” you. Something they did in the past so therefore you judge them. Are you holding them to the same standard as a coworker? A friend? A family member? Do you know the whole story?
Just because someone sins and struggles differently than you, doesn’t make them right or wrong. It doesn’t mean they deserve to be judged more or less than your other brothers and sisters in Christ. Our past experiences and sins make us who we are today and God uses those experiences (even sins) for you to use for His glory. So do you use your experience as a light?
In a world filled with darkness, uncertainty, and challenges, the call to “let your light so shine before men” from Matthew 5:16 is a powerful reminder of our responsibility as Christians. It’s an invitation to be a beacon of hope, a source of inspiration, and a reflection of God’s love in our daily lives.
The call to shine in Matthew 5:16 encourages us to let our light shine before others so that they may see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven. This verse tells us that our actions speak louder than words. We are called to be more than “just believers”. We have to put actions behind what we say. So how do we do that?
We are just nice. We hold the door open for the person behind us. We help our neighbor. We tell someone how good they look today. We make someone smile. We buy a homeless man some shoes. But here’s the thing! If you are not financially able to help that homeless man, no big deal! You can pray for him and that’s worth so much. You can talk to him. You are…kind. Small acts of kindness are so small and insignificant to us but it can mean the world to someone who is barely holding it together. These acts of love, kindness and empathy shines a light on the values and principles of our faith.
And while everyday kindness is essential, the most profound way to shine your light shine is sharing the gospel. Telling everyone you know about God’s love and salvation. God’s love is available to everyone even to those who make bad decisions. By sharing His message is the ultimate way to show love and compassion to others. People need hope. They need to forgive and be forgiven. And they will get that from Him but what if YOU were the reason they know Him?
Are there times you feel like you can’t talk to someone about something because you struggle or struggled with the same sin? Or, do you feel like since you are sinful, you can’t do something like write a Motivational Monday? Trust me. I get it. I struggle. But I try to use my life experiences- good, bad and ugly- to, hopefully, be a positive influence. And you, (yes you!) can do the same. And remember that being a positive influence is also recognizing those around you aren’t perfect either. We can’t hold them to a standard that we can’t achieve ourselves. There’s only one who is perfect. Remember, let your light shine brightly this week and make a difference in the world one person at a time.
Love you all,
Jennifer
Hey friends! Thanks for being with me for the Wednesday message last week. So let’s get this motivation started! What do you do everyday? And I mean, your routine. Do you basically do the same things day in and day out? Or do you do the same thing on a specific day? Of course you do! We all do. When you do those things, are you looking for God? Let’s talk about it.
Y’all. Listen. I love coffee. Coffee is a form of therapy for me. I drink coffee first thing in the morning. I don’t think it helps me “wake up” like some say. It just starts my day because it’s my routine. Then, I have afternoon coffee when I get home. I use this time to unwind. It’s therapeutic. I’m drinking coffee right now while writing this! Typically, depending on the time of the day, I use the same cups and the same mugs. Again. It’s my routine. Do I feel God’s presence as I am brewing the coffee? Or selecting the same cup? I mean, truthfully no. Am I looking for Him? That’s a no too.
As you are going about your routine day, do you ever stop and say, “Where is God today while I am doing this task?” Again, if you are like me, I don’t normally ask that question. But if I did, I am not sure I would feel His presence or hear His voice. Of course, I feel close to Him when I am praying, worshiping, singing Christian music, etc. If I am going through a hard time, I feel Him. But just everyday life? Right here, right now?
Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Present. So, wait? He’s present when I am making my coffee? Yep. He’s right there. He’s a present God. Even on the most very basic day you live. “The Lord of hosts is with us, the God of Jacob is our fortress.” Psalm 46:7. So, who does He host? Angel armies, right? And the God of Jacob means what? It means He’s a personal God. He is there for just me. And just you. And that homeless man in Birmingham. He is here individually for all of us. So even when we don’t know our issues, He is there. He is our refuge, our fortress and shield.
It takes discipline to look for God in your routine days. You have to remember to look for Him. It takes faith.
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7
Walking is something we don’t really think about (unless you suddenly can’t and you realize how you took it for granted). But 2 Corinthians 5:7 tell us to walk. Not run. Not stop. Walk. By walking in faith, we are living in the present. As we are moving in our mundane way that we don’t think much about, He’s telling us to see His mercy. To see His goodness. His faithfulness.
I brought this up because it seems like from October through December, we are busy. We are busy with the same things year after year. And most of us want to do these things. We look forward to this time of year. But we need to remember to stop and praise Him for the food you had for dinner tonight. Or the friend that sends a quick text to ask, “How are you?” Or the look you get from your child or grandchild when they see you. They light up! Do you look for Him in those moments?
I am writing this knowing I am guilty of living life everyday and not looking for Him in the mundane things. And lately, I have been pretty frustrated with the mundane in my life. But let me tell you something, Matt Fridy spoke in church yesterday about life and stress. And that made me think about my silly frustrations and my silly stresses. I think if we look for Him in our most mundane activities, not only will that strengthen our walk with Him but the byproduct will be less stress overall. Isn’t that how we are supposed to live?
Love you all,
Jennifer
Hey friends! Before I start this week’s motivation, I want to remind everyone how you can read the New Testament before the end of the year. Yep! You can! Just download the Bible Recap podcast or go to YouTube and read along Tara Leigh Cobble. She’s awesome. After you read, she will tell you what you just read. So no more guessing (like me!). If you have any questions, you can message us through Facebook Messenger and we will hopefully answer all your questions. On to this week’s motivation…
Have you ever felt too broken, flawed or weak for God to use? Well, let’s talk about it.
For years, I refused to write or teach the Word. In my mind, who am I to tell you what to do when I can’t do it myself? I would look around the church and see all these good, Godly people have this deep walk with God. They would talk about how God speaks to them. Meanwhile, I’m throwing my hands in the air, feeling like a mess just trying to make it to the next day. I make mistakes everyday. I sin everyday. But somehow, every week, I write these motivations in about an hour. Broken and flawed Jennifer was chosen to tell you how to not be so broken and flawed…who would have thought?
For those of you who haven’t talked to me in real life, I don’t know how to be fake. If you are wondering what I am thinking, don’t fret. If I don’t say it, my face will do all the talking. It sounds like I am harsh or mean, but I’m not. I’m just…real. I have a lot things I need to work on but one this is certain, I am honest. So watch what you ask me because you will get an honest answer. I believe that one of the reasons God uses me to write these is because I try to bring that honesty and realness to these motivations. I try to let you know that I KNOW I don’t measure up on a daily basis but I do try. Maybe my mistakes is why God uses me to write these.
Some of you reading this are saying, “I promise she hasn’t done the things I have.” You’re probably right. I have never done anything to land me in jail or prison. To my knowledge, I don’t think I have done anything where I should have gone to jail and wasn’t caught. But if you are someone who HAS, guess what?? YOU are PERFECT to spread His Word!! Really! Let me tell you how I know.
- He chose a King who committed adultery (that resulted in a pregnancy) and then killed her husband to cover up the sin- 2 Samuel 11
- He chose a big mouthed fisherman- John 21
- He chose a prostitute- Joshua 2
- He chose a persecutor of believers Acts 9:1-19
- He chose a tax collector- Matthew 9:9-13 and Luke 5:27-32
Why did God choose these people?
- They are relatable. Isn’t it easier to identify with someone who is flawed like yourself? You might even feel a little bit better about yourself after talking to someone who has “seen some things.”
- They see the need. Their flaws make them see a need for a Savior.
- They have no reason to boast. We HAVE to rely on grace. Look at David and Bathsheba. If he had been a righteous and holy man, he may not have seen his need to lean on God and take credit for himself.
- And! They have no special qualifications (like me!). I am just some girl who loves Jesus and likes to write. If He can do that for me, He can equip anyone to do His work! Trust me.
At the end of the day, don’t stress about being capable. Just be available. When God calls you to do something, trust Him to equip you. And when He does equip you and you whip out a motivation in an hour, you think, “There is no way I just did that. That was God.” And truly, I believe that about what I write. I am no Bible scholar. I just make myself open and available to Him. And somehow (that somehow is God) I am provided with a topic and an article.
So what about you? Are you open and available? Do you believe God wants you to do something but you’re scared? Well, that’s ok because He is on your side. Remember, you don’t have to rely on your own talents, skills or abilities because He is equipping you. Knowing that, what are you waiting for?
Love you all,
Jennifer
Hey friends! I am so glad you are here. I want to discuss something that hits close to home for me personally and that’s attending church. So let’s just jump in and talk about it!
I have been a member of Spring Creek for a little over 10 years now. Before Spring Creek, I had been to several churches over the years but none I could call home. Once I found Spring Creek, I instantly loved it…and still do. But if I can be 100% transparent for a minute, there are Sunday mornings I don’t want to go. It’s not because I don’t like/love my church or the people in it. It’s not because I’m mad. Honestly, I am just tired 99.9% of the time. Either I am tired mentally, physically or both. And if I do go to church when I am tired, I don’t listen.
But some people are different. Some are not interested in going to church because they don’t see the point. “It’s just a building.” Some people are angry with God for various reasons. Some are just sad and they don’t want to go to church. And some people view it as a burden and not a blessing. And for them, it didn’t start out that way. So why is that?
Well, it could just be a season for you. It’s where you are in life. Meaning, are you single in your twenties or married in your thirties with three kids, divorced and starting over in your forties or retired in your sixties. Life is full of ups and downs and every age has unique challenges. I think Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 sums it up best. Your struggle with church may not be church…it could just be life for you right now. But here’s the kicker! Don’t get discouraged. This will not last forever. (Song of Solomon 2:11)
One reason I hear frequently is the hypocrisy in a church. Well, look. I get it. It is so easy to throw a stone at someone else’s glass house instead of looking in yours. My point is none of us is perfect. We are all sinners. If there is someone in the church whose sins are front and center, maybe that’s why they are front and center in the pew. The question you need to ask yourself is have you elevated your preferences above biblical principles and therefore, it’s robbing you of the joy of Sunday morning worship?
Sometimes it’s not you and it is the church. Churches have growing pains. Some are good and some are not good. Why would it not be good? Because it’s made up of imperfect people. And if your church is going through a time of trial, it would make sense why you are struggling. Here is where you need to make a choice. Do you stay and work through it or do you look for another church? Either way, Sundays will be challenging. No matter which challenge you chose, it is important you seek refuge in Him. (Psalm 34:8)
One reason you may not be enjoying it is because you are living in habitual sin. Again, we are all sinners, right? But this is someone who knows what they are doing is wrong yet they continue with the same behavior. Stealing money, looking at pornagraphy, mistreating your spouse, excessively drinking, etc. I view church like your parents. When you are doing wrong and you go home to visit, your momma and daddy is going to call you out. That’s their job no matter your age. Well, listening to sermons when you are habitually sinning feels like every sermon is about you and it’s uncomfortable! (Psalm 51:12)
Or lastly, it could be that you don’t know Jesus. And I know you are saying, “Well that’s silly! I’m at church!” Umm, that doesn’t mean you know Jesus. That doesn’t mean you are Christian. BUT, I am so glad you are at church! And look, no judgement here. But if you are not sure you are christian and need to talk it out, then let’s talk it out. I want you to experience living through Him (Ezekiel 18:32), know Him (John 17:3), love Him (Zephaniah 3:17), and enjoy Him forever (Matthew 25:23).
For me personally, it’s a season for me. How do I know? When I don’t go to church, people call and check on me. Not because they are nosey or messy, it’s because they love me. How do I know they love me? I feel it. They tell me. They make me feel valued even when I am tired. Whenever I don’t go to church, I feel like I am letting God down because I want to be there. And I am always worried I am letting my church friends and family down by not being there. But guess what? They always lift me up and support me when I need them. That’s why finding and going to church is important.
Love you all,
Jennifer
Woah. We had a week last week, didn’t we? There is so much sadness and just pure evil. From the Ukrainian girl to Charlie Kirk to the anniversary of 9/11. It was…a lot for one week. So many are asking the question, why does God allow bad things to happen to good people? So, let’s talk about it.
If you haven’t heard Pastor Scott’s sermon from yesterday, please go watch it. He is doing a series on names of God and he talked about his kids asking who created God. The answer is no one. My crazy self honestly has never questioned who created God but I questioned why God created evil? Was it something He did to test us and it got out of hand?
Evil didn’t come from God. Rest assured, He never wanted to test you. Let’s go all the way back to Adam and Eve. Remember that serpent? That serpent was pretty sneaky. He slithered his way to Eve and told her things that just weren’t true. And remember, no one (up to this point) had sinned. God had given them instructions on what to do and what not to do. Well, you know the story. But you see, they were deceived and they turned against God. That evil was from Satan. Both evil and Satan are very real and go hand in hand.
As for the original question, why does God allow bad things to happen to good people? I hate to answer a question with a question BUT what is your definition of good? When deception happened and Adam and Eve turned against God, we now live in a fallen world. Our definition of someone who is “good” would be something like this: wouldn’t hurt a fly, hard working, God loving, helps others, contributes to make the world a better place, etc. But Romans 3:10-12 says, “as it is written: ‘None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.’”
Look, I get it. By human standards, they would be described as a good person. And that’s all we have experienced, the human side. We have the Bible and we read it and we can quote scripture. We know what is written. But we experience this side. It’s hard to look at it from a Godly perspective. God knows we fall and need His grace. End of story. In God’s eyes, we all aren’t the definition of good. What makes us worthy is accepting Jesus as our Savior. You can do all the good deeds for society all day long, but there is only one thing that matters most.
Bad things happening to good people actually says nothing about God but it says everything about humans. Pain is just a feeling. Like joy. When we experience pain, it’s a warning sign and a way to protect us against danger. Kinda like when meat has been in the fridge a little too long and you smell it to make sure it’s ok. But just like how He allows us to experience joy, pain is the flip side. God has given us the freedom to experience all the emotions. But He has also provided a place with the greatest contentment we can imagine if we listen to Him.
God can give us victory over evil. No, this doesn’t mean bad things won’t ever happen to you or any other Christian. What it means is when they do happen, we know God is right there. Step by step with us. He will give us strength to stand against them.
As for specifically Charlie Kirk. This horrific tragedy sent shockwaves throughout the US and other parts of the world. People are starting to stand up and notice evil is all around. What happened to Charlie should never happen to anyone. But…look at what his death is doing. People are going to church. They are praying. They are standing up and talking about God. Evil slithered in but God is in control. We may not understand everything that happens, but when we know Christ, we are on the winning side.
Love you all,
Jennifer
Hey friends! I took the week off last week to celebrate Labor Day. I know, I know. Labor Day is just a day but…listen, it’s my excuse! I hope it wasn’t too big of a disappointment. Which leads us to today’s topic! How do you handle disappointment? Specifically, how do you deal with disappointment in people? Well, let’s talk about it.
Like you, I encounter people daily. In my line of work, I encounter A LOT of people everyday and I try my best to get to know them. I mean, I’m at work more than I am at home so I need to try to get along with the people I work with. As you build relationships with people (whether it’s coworkers, new or old friends, church members, neighbors or family), you believe you know them. But then they do something that just floors you because “you thought you knew them”. Sound familiar? And sometimes, it really bothers you. How could they do something like this?
Well, fun fact, you really don’t know people but I know someone who does…God. There is absolutely NOTHING that happens without his consent. Wait, what? God approves sin? Yep, He sure does. “He holily permits them.” When Satan wanted to tempt Job to sin against God, he could only proceed with God’s permission (Job 1:9–12).“He powerfully binds them.” If God did not restrain evil in the world, our hurts and disappointments would be far worse than they are presently (Job 1:12; 38:8–11).“He wisely overrules them to some good purpose.” It can be hard to believe that God has an ultimate good purpose when he allows bad things to happen, but we do not have full access to the whole story. God does assure us this is the case for all believers (Romans 8:28).
So even when YOU are disappointed, God is in control and is hard at work.
Jesus instructed His disciples to forgive others as their heavenly Father forgives them (Matthew 6:12). Some people believe you only need to forgive them if they ask. Well, listen, that’s not true. Do you remember when Jesus was dying on the cross and He said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do”? (Luke 23:34) He asked for forgiveness and clearly those didn’t ask for it because they just didn’t understand.
But forgiving people doesn’t mean you have to trust them. It’s ok to hold people accountable for what they have done. Trust is something that has to be rebuilt. If you can rebuild that trust, many times it is stronger. There are times the trust is never rebuilt. I always say, “I keep them at arms length”. Personally, I have relationships in my life who I can no longer trust for various reasons. The reason I keep them at arms length is for my benefit. I don’t want to be hurt again.
At the end of the day though, understand that you are not perfect. If you were disappointed with someone, did you set an unrealistic expectation of that person? Did you think they were perfect? A lot of times, I find myself saying, “They are such a good, christian person. I can’t believe they did that!” Ummm, what? I like to think of myself as a “good, christian person” but I mess up daily! I am sure I fail someone pretty regularly. I don’t mean to nor do I want to. I am sure I have disappointed someone in the last week.
At the end of the day, always seek God when you are disappointed. Talk it out with Him. I do it all the time. In fact, when I am disappointed, you WANT me to talk about it with God and not the person I am disappointed with. 🙂 I need Him to simmer me down and that comes with prayer. Remember, right is right and wrong is wrong. It IS OK to stand up for what is right. That does not make you judgemental (unlike what society tells you). But remember, it is ok to give grace to those who disappoint you (including giving yourself grace!).
God loves you and His plan is always good.
Love you all,
Jennifer
Hey friends! Today we will be wrapping up our back to school series. As I have said in this series a couple of times, if your child(ren) does not have a strong foundation that you set, they will have difficulty standing firm in their beliefs. I’m a grown woman and I have trouble! Can you imagine a 10 year old?! So let’s get to talking.
I am all over social media. Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X to just name a few. And truth be told, I have a love/hate relationship with it. We have talked about it on several occasions in these motivations. I like that I can stay connected and I like the opinions of others. But, social media can skew perceptions of people, places and even words. Social media can make or break businesses all over one person’s bad experience. I am SO GLAD social media wasn’t around when I was learning to drive! I would have been on my city’s page with a picture of my car and tag!
One of the buzzwords of today’s culture is courage. There are a lot of messages geared toward kids especially of what it means to be courageous. To take risks and follow their dreams. To pursue self-actualization. To have the courage to be themselves, accept themselves and love themselves. But that definition is a lie. You are basing that courageous behavior on the “I am enough” culture. But you aren’t and neither are your kids. You see faith begins at the core of we are NOT enough. We are all sinners and deserve God’s wrath (Ephesians 2:1-3) but instead, we receive mercy by providing for us and the salvation in Christ. Christ is enough, not you.
By telling your child they are not enough, give them courage…the right courage.
People, in general, want to be liked and accepted. Perception is key. For instance, you see a friend on social media driving a fancy car, living in a fancy house, travelling all the time and has met the “love of their life”. But a year later, their life is crumbling. All the smiles, money and love was just a farce. They did that to “keep up with the Joneses” as momma would say. I just gave you a scenario as an adult, children are no different. Peer pressure hits every age.
Biblical courage is not the absence of fear. In fact, they fear the right thing. (Proverbs 1:7). We need to teach our kids to live before God. They don’t need to worry about being condemned by their peers because God is the only one with that power (Romans 8:33-34). But we don’t want to motivate them out of fear…that’s not the point. We, as parents and loved ones, need to instill courage by pointing out the reality that Jesus already paid the price for our sins. They don’t have to fear their peers because the Lord has already declared there’s no condemnation for those who are in Christ (Romans 8:1).
Biblical courage comes out of confidence that we are God’s children. We don’t need to prove ourselves to others because we should live to please Him. Not the other way around. And as adults, it’s so easy for us to say, “Don’t worry about what little Josh is saying. He’s just trying to hurt you!” But your child is watching you. They see you fall to peer pressure. Their peer pressure may seem silly to you because “it’s kid stuff”. But, it is the exact same thing you are succumbing to but on a bigger, financial level. Right?
So, at the end of the day, no. You are not enough. And that’s exactly where you need to be. That’s exactly where your kids need to be. It’s not a bad place. It’s a place of knowing and needing the Lord. You can face all of life’s circumstances with courage.
Love you all and see you next week,
Jennifer
Hey friends! I am so glad you stopped in. This week, I want to continue our Back to School series on preparing your kids for school. By now, most kids have started school BUT that shouldn’t stop us from continuing to help them cultivate their faith while battling the peer pressure of today. So, let’s continue to talk about it.
I have A LOT of faults. A.LOT. But one of things that I do well is admit when I am wrong. In fact, I have had coworkers pull me to the side and say, “You didn’t have to be THAT transparent.” 🙄. But one thing I am NOT good at is asking for help. And this could be asking for help for anything. Putting together a piece of furniture, writing a report or even something to do with my mental health. In my crazy way of thinking, I don’t want to be judged as weak. And asking for help is a sign of weakness.
Part of helping our kids as they go back to school is reminding them they are learners. They aren’t in charge, they don’t make the rules and they don’t know everything (but if you have a teenager, they might tell you differently). Teaching humility is teaching vulnerability. No one likes to feel vulnerable because that exposes a weakness.
But, did you know that being vulnerable is a spiritual practice? You see, God knows our imperfections. He knows our struggles. God doesn’t see our weakness as weakness. God sees it as an opportunity for you to lean into Him. He’s a patient father and He remembers we’re but dust and has compassion on us in our weakness, (Psalm 103:13-14). Cultivating the self-awareness in our children that they are needy and they don’t know everything helps them to live in a posture that teaches them to depend on God. Plus, recognizing you have much to learn is a hallmark of wisdom: “Listen to advice and accept instruction,” the Proverbs advise, “that you may gain wisdom in the future” (Proverbs 19:20).
Some of you are reading this and you are thinking, “Good thing my kid is humble! They are great learners. They make straight A’s, never get into trouble, and are captain of the football team. Really what more could I say about them?” And I want to be clear here, seriously, that is awesome. And you should pat them on the back and remind them they are making great decisions. And you as a parent are doing something right too! But…where did this rock star come from?It didn’t come from you or them. It came from Him. “What do you have that you did not receive?” the apostle Paul asks the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 4:7). As their parents, you need to remind them to grow in gratitude.
I know this series is geared for school age kids but can you see yourself fighting to stay humble? You know, a lot of times when we think of someone who’s prideful, that has a negative tone. But when you stop and see yourself where you are weak, do you believe you are being prideful OR is pride getting in the way? I know it’s the same thing, but is it? To me it’s where the intent falls.
This week, when you are listening to the kids talk about their day, make sure to point out areas where you see an opportunity to have a lesson on humility. That sounds like a negative conversation but don’t let it be. This needs to be normal, everyday conversation. No finger pointing or tearing them down (whether it’s intentional or not). Your kid is just trying to make it (like you) and reminding them they aren’t perfect AND they aren’t expected to BE perfect, might actually help them. It’s ok to ask for help and to not know it all.
Love you all and see you next week,
Jennifer
Hey friends! Listen, I knew yesterday what my topic was on today. Wanna know why? Because I was HOT! Yes, I was physically hot because it was a million degrees with 100% humidity but what I am specifically talking about is mad. 😡 As I am upset, I thought, “Yep. This is what this week’s topic is going to be about!” So, let’s talk about it.
We are having a deck built on our house. Some of you might have heard me talking about it. This deck is on the larger side and we are adding to our roof line. We have saved for this deck for YEARS and honestly, I am SO EXCITED to get it. But…like most projects, it is not going as planned for a lot of reasons. And truth be told, they are all avoidable reasons. Yesterday, as I was working in the yard (that I hadn’t cut in 2 weeks because of the deck project), I was getting madder and madder about the situation. I was working myself up in a tizzy and I was mad at EVERYBODY. You’ve been there, right?
So is anger a sin?
The short answer is no. It’s a God given emotion. Anger is a signal that something is wrong and needs to be addressed. What you should be angry over is sin and injustice because we serve a God that is just and holy. And man, let me tell you. When reading the Old Testament, there are LOTS of examples of when God was angry. Whew. The quickest example that comes to mind is the Great Flood. He flooded the whole world and destroyed all living creatures except who and what was on the Ark. Why? Because he was OVER the wickedness and corruption on the Earth. I would say He was pretty mad…
Whereas anger is not a sin, how we react to it can be. To be completely transparent, how I acted yesterday was sinful. I was quick tempered and infuriated by our situation. And trust me, everyone knew I was NOT happy. Everyone who couldn’t fix the situation knew about it. I was misusing my anger. “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”(Ephesians 4:31-32) Another short verse that is easy to remember is, “…everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment…” (Matthew 5:22)
When you become that angry, you need to pause, reflect on why you are angry and then ask God to help you. Now, look. I did ask God to help me with my anger yesterday because I didn’t like being around me. But was I ready yesterday to reflect? Truthfully, no. I wasn’t mentally ready to work through it. Was that right? Well, I asked God for help and that did help me to simmer down enough to get through the day. Then, I slept (I always have to sleep on it to have a clearer understanding). Today, I was ready to work through it.
Some of the questions I asked myself were:
- Has there been injustice? Was there sin against you, another, or God? Before you look to who your angry with, are you convicted about your own sin or how you have contributed? If so, begin to biblically address sin in you. (Matthew 18:15-17)
- Are you hurt? Has this person hurt you (physically, mentally or emotionally) or opened an old wound? Is your pride wounded or do you feel shame? Be honest with yourself and God about your pain, recall God’s forgiveness of you, and continue to take steps to forgive. (Colossians 3:12-13)
- Are you afraid? Has something stirred up an insecurity? Do you feel threatened? Are you struggling to trust God? If so, confess your fear and lack of trust to God and begin to confront your idols. (Psalm 56:3) If this is the case, I would recommend immediately seeking help.
- Are you frustrated? Has someone failed to meet your expectations? Have you yourself failed them? Examine whether your expectations are realistic and address how you may have sought significance or life apart from God. (Psalm 42:11)
Look, luckily for me, it is just.a.deck. But this deck means a lot to me because this is something I have wanted for years. And we have worked hard to get it. So, there is some minor hurt and a lot of frustration. After reflecting, I do know my anger was just but how I went about it was wrong. And I want to own that. I know that God is completely in control and can bring good out of a mess. I know it will work out one way or another because God’s got me.
I used this example because, typically, I am pretty easy going. And I know a lot of you out there are probably like me. Some of you might struggle and you consider yourself to be hot headed. What’s important to note is, most of us can name a time we misused our anger. Have you ever gotten mad and later felt bad how things went down? Well, that’s a sign your anger might have been misused. All you can do is confess and ask forgiveness from God and from the person you were ugly to unnecessarily.
This week, I challenge you to reflect on the why behind your anger. If you encounter someone who is angry, was their anger just and valid? Maybe, maybe not. But if it’s a “maybe not” situation, maybe you can show them grace. Because they will calm down and they will remember what you said or did. This will cause them to reflect and see that maybe they overreacted. 😬 Not that I’m talking from experience…nope not me.
Love you all and don’t be ugly,
Jennifer
