Christian Poetry

Poetry Sunday: Anger Is

4 Comments

Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speaking,  As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:  If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. I Peter 2:1-3

Anger, jealousy, bitterness are all signs of a much deeper issue of the heart.  Usually these are the manifestations of how broken and scarred our own hearts are.  Often, our reaction is a result of our own fears of inadequacy.  We protest most loudly when deep in our heart of hearts we fear they are right. “Maybe, I am unlovable.  Maybe, just maybe I am a failure.”   Other times, we lash out with anger at another’s injustice; yet, deep inside we only want to say, “Well at least I am better than that person.”  The truth being when I react to another’s anger with anger, I become the very one I am bitterly denouncing.  Look at what Peter said, “Lay aside all the anger, bitterness, hypocrisy, jealousy, and gossip.” How?  “By reading the word, drinking in the grace of Jesus.  Once you have truly tasted the blessed sweetness of grace; how, can you allow anger to grow.  When we trust God’s Sovereignty and remember all that He has forgiven in our lives; forgiveness and grace will fill our hearts.

anger is

Anger Is

By Effie Darlene Barba

 

Anger is that thought hidden deep inside

Rising up to defend our injured pride

Anger is the scar from a broken heart

Using words to hurt like some poisonous dart

 

Anger plants itself first a tiny seed

That grows into a thorny wretched weed

Choking out all hope of love, faith, or joy

Doing Satan’s work, oh so sly and coy

 

Anger is the sign of a heart of sin

Pushing, striving wanting always to win

“How dare you to hurt me, why don’t you see

It’s not about you, it’s all about me”

 

Anger pours forth like a cold winter rain

With shards of ice inflicting hurt and pain

While all the time it truly hurts the most

The angered one whose innocence does boast

 

My Lord, I need your gentle touch of Grace

I need to see your righteous, loving face

So, I might cast aside this selfish pride

That You might heal my broken heart inside

 

For when I truly cherish Grace you see

No trace of anger can abide in me

When the truth of Your Sovereignty does rise

Only then can I fully realize

 

Any anger my heart would entertain

Is against the plan Your Will did ordain

So as the fullness of truth comes into view

Anger is a sign of my doubting You

 

How could it be my wretched, sinful heart

Allowed an angry thought to even start

Only your grace can cleanse my heart of sin

Your love restore anew Your joy within

 

Let forgiveness and Grace be what I give

To everyone I meet each day I live

Singing forth your praise with great jubilee

As from anger’s curse I have been set free

 

It was your perfect grace that loved me so

So, please Let Grace be all my heart does know

And in faith as I trust Your plan for me

Let Your dear Grace be all the world does see

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2016

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post.  I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Christian Blog

How to Deal with Love’s Number One Enemy-Anger

There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor? James 4:12 (NIV)

Spring had finally arrived and with it hope of renewal. All the chemotherapy treatments were completed. Slowly, steadily I had new hair growing. Slowly, steadily the fatigue was going away. Flowers were beginning to bloom in the yard. As is the case, along with the grass, the weeds also begin to grow. My anger toward Terry was like those weeds. I had not analyzed it. I had not dealt with it. I had not plucked it out when it was small, so it grew. After all, I rationalized, “he wasn’t there when I needed him. He was not willing to even help me financially; after all I had done to financially help him before.” It was easier to rationalize my anger than to deal with the real issue which was my own heart.

anger

Dutifully, “trying to be a good Christian”, I held my tongue at the moment and never spoke of the seething anger inside. Perhaps if I ignore the weeds growing in my own heart, they would go away. I prayed; but, the anger still grew. I was back home to do my internship, while able to work. I still went to Vanderbilt one day every two weeks to turn in my papers and meet with my instructor. I flew to my daughter’s wedding; but, Terry didn’t go with me because of hunting season, again. By fall, I had a new challenge to face—ulcerative colitis. It hit with a rampage that resulted in high dose steroids and multiple medications with little success. So, once more I did not deal with the weeds of anger in my heart—they sat there dormant for another winter.

ANGER’S EXPLOSION

Continue reading How to Deal with Love’s Number One Enemy-Anger →

Christian Blog

3 Lessons About Love from The Battlegrounds of Cancer

4 Comments

That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love…and to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.  Ephesians 3: 17,19

This series has been about searching for the truth of love. At least, my journey in that search. Life hits us at times with hurricane force winds and we feel that we can barely hold on. Yet, in the end it is love that holds us firmly in place. Much like a young tree that has withstood heavy winds of time whose roots have sunk deeper with each trying wind. Each trial in this life can become the means that we sink our roots a little deeper into the firm foundation of love. “God is love” (I John 4:8). So, it is that even my cancer had its place in my journey to discovering the truths of love. It was like that hurricane wind forcing me to dig my roots ever deeper into the only foundation that could hold me—God’s love; while at the same time forcing me to face the lessons along this journey that would ultimately lead me to discovering the splendor, beauty and joy of knowing love.

God uses the ashes

As you may remember from the previous writings, I had learned the truth of sacrificial, unconditional love from my marriage with Pete. Yet, love in its fullness has many more aspects as I still was going to need to learn along my journey. When Pete’s earthly death had ripped him from my arms, there was left a gaping void in my heart which I daresay was more evident because I now must face the next lessons of love. Love is strong enough to withstand was one of those lessons. My love for my children pushed me forward through the battle against cancer. God in that gave me a small glimpse of the strength of His love for me which endured so much more than I would ever have to endure as Jesus died on the cross to cover my sins. There were many more lessons left to learn to even begin to know all the complexities, the magnificent beauty of God’s love in us—the real truth of love which can then out pour into rivers of joyous love in our lives.

LOVE’S SEARCH

Continue reading 3 Lessons About Love from The Battlegrounds of Cancer →

Christian Blog

How Can I See the Girl in The Mirror as Beautiful?

 

“Behold, how beautiful you are, my darling,
Behold, how beautiful you are!
Your eyes are dove’s eyes.” Solomon 1:15 (AMP)

As I returned to school, I was so grateful to have my daughter to drive me and to help me for the first two weeks, then she went back home. Next step was to face chemotherapy. I would receive the chemotherapy every three weeks for 4 doses. What I soon found was a pattern. Three days after chemo my body ached, my shoulders hurt, my brain seemed in a fog, and there was a heavy metallic pressure in my mid chest which was so intense I could hardly breath. That would begin to ease and then 9 days later, a horrendous fatigue along with the severe drop in my white count would happen. By day 18, I began to feel a little better; then it was time for the next dose. It was God’s grace and sheer determination that I pushed on through school. I knew that if I stopped I would give up; besides, my chemotherapy was at Vanderbilt. I really didn’t have a choice when I considered I had school loans which would come due. As it was, I wasn’t allowed to work as a nurse anywhere while on chemo and money was enough of a problem.44437142_m

Remember the plans I had? Look on the bright side with the various wigs, weight loss and the improved body due to the tummy tuck!! Well, not exactly what happened. My weight shot up 40 pounds (the only thing that eased the pain in the chest was ice cream or cheese every two hours)—that plus the steroids with each chemo added to the weight gain. Besides, not a time to try to diet. My scalp was so tender that the wigs were miserable—a scarf was a little better; but, nothing was the least painful. So, I went bald most of the time and only wore the wigs when around my sons so they did not have to see the baldness. The tummy tuck? Well, now I had no waistline—just flat down the sides as well as the front. In fact, all of that brought me back full circle to that little girl in first grade.

Continue reading How Can I See the Girl in The Mirror as Beautiful? →

Christian Poetry

POETRY SUNDAY—Stand Still

Stand still and consider the wondrous works of God Job 37:14

There are seasons in this world that we may not fully understand why God allows the pain or the suffering.  The valley may seem so dark and the road so rough that we cannot find our way through; but, we can trust Him.  Often, God tells us to stand still and see His Salvation in the midst of our trials.  The plan He has is a plan to bring you ever closer to Him where fullness of joy may be yours.  Yet, a little while; and He will show you the way.  In the meantime, He is there to comfort you, love you and show you His mercy.  So, Stand Still and know that He is God.

stand still

Stand Still

By Effie Darlene Barba

 

When your world is falling apart

And you can’t seem to find your way

When your love has broken your heart

When there’s nothing else you can say

Stand still, stand still

 

When the Doctor says the “C” word

When you can’t even pay the rent

And you don’t know how to be heard

With your health and energy spent

Stand still, stand still

 

When you’ve given all you can give

And you feel you are all alone

When you want a reason to live

Know this, that I am on my throne

So Stand still, stand still

 

I AM the one who parted the sea

The one who calmed the raging storm

I created all that you see

I Am He who gave earth its form

So, stand still, stand still

 

I Am the one who died for you

To Pay the price to set you free

Let my glory come into view

Turn your eyes and focus on me

And Stand still, stand still

 

Stand still and know that I AM He

Who loves you with all of His might

In me you have the victory

I Will arm you for every fight

So Stand still, stand still

 

Stand still, and know that I AM God

Stand still, I walk each mile you trod

Stand still, let my love wrap you tight

Stand still, you are ever in sight

 

Stand still, I am the giver of life

Stand still I am remover of strife

Stand still, I Am joy and hope evermore

Stand still, I Am the wings- You can soar

 

I Am the one who gives you each breath

I AM the way you are reconciled

I AM the one who did conquer death

I AM the one who loves you, my child

So Stand Still, stand still

So, here is my question for you today.  Do you know Him as your heavenly Father?  Have you accepted His Gift of Salvation?

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.”  John 3:16-19

If you have never asked Jesus to be your Savior, would you today?

Original Photo used courtesy of unsplash.com/finleydesign         (Neil Thomas-photographer)  I added the inscription.

©Effie Darlene Barba, 2016

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post.  I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.

Inspiring Joy in Lifes Toughest Moments