FORGIVING

The Power We Give......

Proverbs 27:3 "Stone is heavy and sand a burden, but provocation by a fool is heavier than both."

 

    "But she makes me so angry...." I have uttered those words more often than I care to admit. We give others an incredible amount of power over us, yet we often fail to see it. When we allow ourselves to become frustrated and angry, even boarderline obsessed by the actions of others, we are allowing them to control our lives. A rude word, a thoughtless gesture, or even an intentional slight can send us reeling for hours - and why? Do we honestly think the other person is dweling on the issue? If they are then there are two people with issues.

    Life provides enough obstacles and baggage in our day to day struggles, why insist on taking on more than we were ever intended to carry? At times I personally feel like Atlas and want to buckle under the weight I am carrying - but even at those times I have difficulty ignoring the provocations.

    Look at the picture of Atlas - he has the world on his shoulders, but where are his eyes? When we choose to be like Atlas, we focus on the things around us and fail to acknowledge the one who can free us from these burdens. The only one who can restore broken hearts and shattered relationships, but we won't ever see Him if we allow the weight of the world to come between us.

Stress and Anger

 

Proverbs 29:11 "A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control."

 

We have all felt anger, jaw tightening, and fist clenching rage... Our heart beats faster and we
suddenly become hyper aware of the source of our anger, but how do we release it? Do we take it out on guy next to us in traffic, our spouse, or our family? Anger is a necessary but dangerous emotion.

     Anger triggers the body’s ‘fight or flight’ response. Other emotions that trigger this response include fear, excitement and anxiety. The adrenal glands flood the body with stress hormones,
such as adrenaline and cortisol. The brain shunts blood away from the gut and towards the muscles, in preparation for physical exertion. Heart rate, blood pressure and respiration increase, the body temperature rises and the skin perspires. The mind is sharpened and focused. The constant flood of stress chemicals and associated metabolic changes that accompany recurrent unmanaged anger can eventually cause harm to many different systems of the body. Some of the short and long-term health problems that have been linked to unmanaged anger include:

• Headache    
• Digestion problems, such as abdominal pain
• Insomnia
• Increased anxiety
• Depression
• High blood pressure
• Skin problems, such as eczema
• Heart attack
• Stroke.

     People who are stressed are more likely to experience anger. Numerous worldwide studies have documented that regular exercise can improve mood and reduce stress levels. The effect may be twofold: physical exertion burns up stress chemicals, and it also boosts production of mood-regulating neurotransmitters in the brain, including endorphins and catecholamines.

(http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Anger_how_it_affects_people)

 

     Next time you feel the stress building and catch yourself being more irritable and angry, take a moment to clear your head and use those emotions to fuel your next workout. You may find yourself running a little faster, lifting a little more weight, and sweating a lot more; but you will not regret hurting a loved one by misdirected stress or anger…  Just a thought. 

 

Proper Perspective?

When we pray it is important to approach God with a proper perspective. He is God and we are not, we must humble ourselves before Him. Too often we spend more time complaining about our circumstances and asking God for things than we do praising Him, thanking Him, and listening to Him. I do not claim to be a mighty prayer warrior, but I have seen my prayer life become transformed when I start my prayers by focusing on thanking and praising God; my perspective changes as well as my heart. Here is an example of a prayer – not perfect by any means, but hopefully it speaks to the heart.

Father

I yield to you. I praise your creations, from the tiniest creations I have never seen to the awesome displays in the heavens – all nature proclaims your greatness and power. I cannot comprehend or understand even simple things, yet you in your infinite power and wisdom chose me. I thank you for my home, my children, my family, and my life. You have blessed me beyond any earthly riches. I deserve death yet you mercifully have given me life. The Creator of the universe has claimed me and given me His name and adopted me… You reach down from heaven and touch me, dry my tears, and comfort me in my darkest hours. When I feel alone, unwanted, and unloved, you offer me a shoulder to cry on and a hand to cling to.

Father I praise you and I thank you for your goodness. It is at these moments, when things are their darkest and the pressure is collapsing my chest that you save me – you save me every time, just as you promise. Your timing is perfect as are your ways. I know that my strength, my faith, and my character are transformed as I learn to lean on you more. Though the world and pride may view it as weakness, I know there is supernatural strength when I humble myself before you. Thank you for changing my heart…