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
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.