THE EMOTIONS UNDER ATTACK
JULY 18, 1999
ANGER MANAGEMENT:
ANGER IS GENERALLY DEFINED AS A STRONG FEELING OF HOSTILITY OR INDIGNATION. IT’S A STATE OF EMOTIONAL EXCITEMENT INDUCED BY INTENSE DISPLEASURE AS A RESULT OF REAL OR IMAGINED THREAT, INSULT, PUT-DOWN, FRUSTRATION OR INJUSTICE TO YOURSELF OR OTHERS TO WHO ARE IMPORTANT TO YOU. IF THE DISPLEASURE IS VERY GREAT AND IS PROCESSED THROUGH THE CONSCIOUS MIND IT ACTIVATES THE FIGHT FLIGHT MECHANISM IN THE BODY WHICH PREPARES IT FOR BATTLE OR ESCAPE. THIS MECHANISM RELEASES ADRENALIN, WHICH IN TURN INCREASES THE BLOOD PRESSURE, PULSE AND RESPIRATORY RATE. ONE MAY PERSPIRE OR FEEL EDGY AS A RESULT OF THIS SURGE OF ENERGY WHICH HAS LITERALLY INFUSED THE ENTIRE BODY. THESE INTENSE FEELINGS OF ANGER ARE WHAT MOST PEOPLE ASSOCIATE WITH ANGER AND THEY WOULD BE CORRECT EXCEPT MANY PEOPLE REPRESS THEIR ANGER IN THEIR SUBCONSCIOUS MIND. THEIR ANGER CAN BE MANIFESTED IN MANY DIFFERENT FORMS. IT CAN FEEL LIKE NOTHING, NUMBNESS, HURT, DISAPPOINTMENT, FRUSTRATION, IRRITATION, ANNOYANCE, OR RAGE JUST TO NAME A FEW. SO I BELIEVE THAT ANGER MAY DEFINED AS AN AUTOMATIC REACTION TO ANY REAL OR IMAGINED INSULT, FRUSTRATION, INJUSTICE, PRODUCING EMOTIONAL AGITATION, WHICH THE PERSON MAY OR MAY NOT BE AWARE OF, BUT WHICH WILL SEEK EXPRESSION IN SOME SORT OF AGGRESSIVE, DEFENSIVE OR DESTRUCTIVE MANNER TO ONESELF OR TO OTHERS. SO IT IS TO OUR BEST INTEREST THAT WE LEARN HOW TO HANDLE OR MANAGE OUR ANGER AND DISSIPATE IT IN A CONSTRUCTIVE WAY THAT IS BENEFICIAL TO EVERYBODY INVOLVED.
THE ENTIRE PROCESS OF HANDLING ANGER CONSTRUCTIVELY IN THESE STRAINED MOMENTS WHEN YOU ARE EMOTIONALLY UPSET CAN BE SUMMED UP WITH THE FOLLOWING TWO PASSAGES OF SCRIPTURE WHICH WILL BE MY OPENING TEXTS THIS MORNING:
Lev 19:17-18
17 "Don't hate your brother. Rebuke anyone who sins; don't let him get a
way with it, or you will be equally guilty.
18 Don't seek vengeance. Don't bear a grudge; but love your neighbor
as yourself, for I am Jehovah.
Eph 4:25-27
25 Stop lying to each other; tell the truth, for we are parts of each
other and when we lie to each other we are hurting ourselves.
26 If you are angry, don't sin by nursing your grudge. Don't let the
sun go down with you still angry-- get over it quickly;
27 for when you are angry, you give a mighty foothold to the devil.
IN LEARNING TO HANDLE YOU ANGER YOU MUST FIRST RECOGNIZE THAT SOMEONE OR SOMETHING HAS HURT YOU IN A VERY REAL OR PERSONAL WAY. SO THE FIRST STEP IS TO RECOGNIZE YOUR FEELINGS AND EVALUATE HOW UPSET YOU ARE. WHEN YOU ARE DONE WITH YOUR EVALUATION YOU WILL NEED TO SUPPRESS TAKING ANY ACTION UNTIL YOU HAVE FULL CONTROL OF YOUR WORDS AND ACTIONS. DURING THIS PERIOD YOU WILL WANT TO IMPLEMENT PRAYER AS A MEANS TO OBTAIN GODS WISDOM AND INSIGHT. THROUGH THIS PROCESS OF WAITING ON GOD YOU WILL NEED TO IDENTIFY THE TRUE CAUSE FOR YOUR ANGER. ONCE YOU HAVE DONE THAT THEN YOU MUST DETERMINE WHETHER YOUR ANGER HAS A LEGITIMATE BASIS OR NOT. IF YOUR ANGER DOES HAVE A LEGITIMATE BASIS THEN YOU MUST DETERMINE A COURSE OF ACTION WHICH WILL MOST LIKELY INVOLVE CONFRONTATION. DURING THE PROCESS OF CONFRONTATION YOU MUST DETERMINE THE IMPORTANCE OF BOTH THE PERSON OR PERSONS WHO HAVE UPSET YOU AS WELL AS THE ISSUES INVOLVED. IT IS WISE TO SEEK COUNSEL WITH A CLOSE FRIEND AND TO TALK OUT YOUR VIEWS AND FEELINGS. YOU MAY THEN DETERMINE AREA WHERE COMPROMISE WOULD BE BENEFICIAL OR YOU MAY NEED TO JUST FORGIVE AND FORGET THE INJUSTICE DONE TO YOU IN ORDER TO SAVE THE RELATIONSHIP. THE LAST AND FINAL STEP TO RESOLVE YOU ANGER MAY RESULT IN AN OPEN REBUKE AND THE ENDING OF THE RELATIONSHIP AND IN SOME INSTANCES EVEN THIS IS SANCTIONED IN THE BIBLE. THE IMPORTANT THING TO REMEMBER IS THAT UNRESOLVED ANGER WILL PRODUCE AGGRESSIVE AND DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIOR AND WILL CAUSE MORE HURT. IT IS GOD’S WILL FOR YOU TO RESOLVE YOU ANGER IN A CONSTRUCTIVE WAY THAT WILL BRING HONOR AND GLORY TO GOD.
I WOULD LIKE TO SPEND JUST A LITTLE MORE TIME EMPHASIZING THE FINAL STEP IN RESOLVING ANGER BEFORE WE LOOK AT SOME PREVENTATIVE MEASURES. THE FINAL STEP IN DEALING WITH YOUR ANGER AS A CHRISTIAN IS PERHAPS THE MOST CRUCIAL ONE AND THAT IS TO FORGIVE AND FORGET. LET’S LOOK AT THIS WARNING IN:
Matt 6:13-15
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your
Father forgive your trespasses.
OFTEN PEOPLE HAVE SOME MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT WHAT FORGIVENESS REALLY IS. WHEN WE TRY TO FORGIVE SOMEONE MANY OF US TRY TO TALK OURSELVES INTO THINKING THAT WHAT THE OTHER PERSON DID WASN’T REALLY WRONG OR THAT HE REALLY DIDN’T MEAN TO DO IT OR WE OVER REACTED TO WHAT HE SAID OR DID. THIS MAY SOMETIMES BE THE CASE BUT AT OTHER TIMES WE NEED TO FULLY REALIZE WHAT THE OTHER PERSON DID WAS DEFINITELY WRONG, BUT THAT WE WILL NEVERTHELESS FORGIVE HIM AND FORGET IT, NO MATTER HOW MUCH HE HAS HURT US OR DISAPPOINTED US.
Matt 18:21-22
21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?
22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times:
but, Until seventy times seven.
Mark 11:25-26
25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which
is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
Eph 4:31-32
31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking,
be put away from you, with all malice:
32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another,
even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
James 5:9
9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned:
behold, the judge standeth before the door.
IN ORDER TO FORGIVE SOMEONE WE MUST ACTIVELY CHOOSE TO GIVE UP A GRUDGE DESPITE THE SEVERITY OF THE INJUSTICE DONE TO US. IT DOESN’T MEAN THAT WE HAVE TO SAY OR FEEL THAT THEY DIDN’T HURT US OR THAT IT DIDN’T REALLY MATTER. SOME THINGS MAY HURT VERY MUCH AND WE MUST NOT DENY THAT FACT, BUT AFTER FULLY RECOGNIZING THE HURT, WE SHOULD CHOOSE TO FORGIVE. FORGIVING SOMEONE IS NEVER BASED ON FEELINGS ALONE. FORGIVING SOMEONE JUST LIKE LOVING SOMEONE UNCONDITIONALLY IS A CHOICE, IT’S A DECISION WE MAKE. THIS IS HOW GOD LOVES US AND THIS IS HOW HE WANTS TO EMPOWER US TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER...EVEN OUR ENEMIES. REMEMBER TO ERR IS HUMAN, TO FORGIVE IS DIVINE. YOU ABILITY TO FORGIVE IS IN DIRECT PROPORTION TO YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD. PRAYING THROUGH YOU HURT AND DISAPPOINTMENT IS CRUCIAL IN THIS PROCESS OF FORGIVENESS. BE HONEST WITH GOD ABOUT YOUR FEELINGS AND YOUR HURT CAUSE HE KNOWS THEM ANY WAY BUT THEY CANNOT BE REPRESSED IF FORGIVENESS IS TO EVER BE A POSSIBILITY.
SECONDLY, FORGIVING DOESN’T MEAN THAT THE PARTY AT FAULT DOESN’T NEED TO SUFFER THE NATURAL OR LAWFUL CONSEQUENCES OF THEIR ACTIONS. A PERSON CAN FORGIVE AND STILL ALLOW JUSTICE TO BE ADMINISTERED. FOR EXAMPLE, IF A DRUNK DRIVER KILLS YOUR CHILD WHILE DRIVING RECKLESSLY IT IS APPROPRIATE THAT LEGAL ACTION BE TAKEN AGAINST HIM. THIS IS NECESSARY NOT ONLY FOR YOUR CHILD’S SAKE, BUT ALSO FOR THE DRIVER’S SAKE AND FOR SOCIETY. TO BRING THIS A LITTLE CLOSER TO HOME, LET’S SAY THAT YOUR CHILD IS AWARE THAT YOU ARE ANGRY WITH HIM FOR SOMETHING HE HAS DONE. HE ADMITS THAT HE WAS WRONG AND ASKS FOR YOUR FORGIVENESS. IF HE IS SINCERE THEN I BELIEVE THAT IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO FORGIVE HIM. THIS DOES NOT MEAN THAT YOU DO NOT HAVE TO DISCIPLINE HIM, BUT IT DOES MEAN THAT AFTER YOU HAVE DISCUSSED THE PROBLEM WITH HIM AND BOTH OF YOU HAVE HAD OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE YOUR FEELINGS, YOU SHOULD GIVE UP YOUR FEELINGS OF ANGER TOWARDS HIM.
Phil 1:29
29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
1 Pet 2:19-23
19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward
God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it
patiently, this is acceptable with God.
21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
1 Pet 4:19
19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.
WE HAVE ALREADY READ SUFFICIENT SCRIPTURE TO PROVE THAT IT IS GOD’S WILL FOR YOU TO WALK IN FORGIVENESS BUT IT IS EQUALLY NECESSARY THAT YOU BECOME A PARTAKER IN HIS SUFFERINGS IN THE PROCESS. ITS OK TO FEEL HURT AND PAIN AND DISAPPOINTMENT BUT YOU MUST GET BEYOND THAT YOU MUST GET OVER IT. IF WE DON’T FORGIVE AND FORGET THE THE PERSON FOR THE ADVERSE SITUATION THEN THERE ARE GOING TO BE REPERCUSSIONS IN OUR OWN LIVES. SOME HOW WE HAVE THE DISTORTED NOTION THAT THE OTHER PERSON SUFFERS WHEN WE HOLD A GRUDGE AGAINST HIM. USUALLY THIS IS NOT THE CASE AT ALL. WHEN YOU HOLD A GRUDGE, OFTEN THE OTHER PERSON DOESN’T EVEN KNOW ABOUT IT, AND EVEN IF HE DOES, HE PROBABLY DOESN’T CARE. WHEN YOU HOLD A GRUDGE YOU EMPOWER THAT HURTFUL SITUATION TO KEEP HURTING YOU EVERY TIME YOU REHEARSE IT IN YOUR MIND. THE ONLY PERSON WHO IS BEING HURT IS YOU. HOLDING A GRUDGE AND REFUSING TO FORGIVE IS LIKE LICKING OUR EMOTIONAL WOUNDS, WHICH WE ALL INSTINCTIVELY ENJOY, BUT WHAT WE MUST REALIZE IS THAT WE SUFFER GREATLY BECAUSE OF THE WEIGHT OF THE GRUDGE WHICH WE HOLD. NOT ONLY DOES IT CONTINUE TO HURT US BUT IT BUILDS A BARRIER BETWEEN US AND GOD.
Matt 6:15
15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your
Father forgive your trespasses.
NOW BEFORE WE LOOK AT SOME THINGS WE CAN DO TO PREVENT ANGER LET ME SHARE WITH YOU WHEN YOU SHOULD USE THESE 11 STEPS TO RESOLVING YOUR ANGER. GENERALLY IF ANY SITUATION KEEPS CROSSING YOUR MIND WITH SOME FEELINGS OF HURT, IRRITATION OR ANGER, ESPECIALLY FOR A DAY OR MORE AFTER THE INITIAL FEELINGS YOU SHOULD BEGIN TO IMPLEMENT ALL OF THESE ELEVEN STEPS TO RESOLVING YOUR ANGER. WITH THE CONSISTENTLY APPLICATION OF THESE PRINCIPLES IN YOUR LIFE YOU WILL SOON LEARN TO RECOGNIZE THOSE ISSUES WHICH CAN BE IMMEDIATELY PASSED OVER AND THOSE WHICH REQUIRE MORE ACTION. ANOTHER CONCERN PEOPLE HAVE IS KNOWING WHEN CONFRONTATION IS NECESSARY. IF THERE IS ANY QUESTION ABOUT THE LEGITIMACY OF AN ISSUE OR IF EXPECTATIONS ARE NOT CLEARLY UNDERSTOOD, THE ODDS ARE THAT YOU NEED TO TALK IT OVER WITH THE OTHER PERSON. ALSO, IF YOU HAVE TROUBLE IN FORGIVING AND FORGETTING AND IF TALKING OUT YOUR PROBLEM WITH A COUNSELOR, PASTOR OR FRIEND DOESN’T SEEM TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM, THE ODDS ARE THAT YOU NEED TO TALK IT OVER WITH THE PARTY INVOLVED ESPECIALLY IF YOU HAVE NOT PREVIOUSLY ATTEMPTED TO DO SO WITH THAT PERSON AND THAT ISSUE.
WITH PRACTICE AND WITH A WILLINGNESS TO GROW AND MATURE IN GOD’S LOVE AND WITH A SENSITIVITY TO GOD TO DIRECT YOU IN THIS CRUCIAL AREA OF YOUR LIVES YOU WILL LEARN HOW TO EFFECTIVELY THWART OFF AN EMOTIONAL ATTACK OF THE ENEMY AND PROPERLY HANDLE YOU HURTS, IRRITATIONS AND ANGER.
Heb 6:1-3
1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works,
and of faith toward God,
2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and
of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
3 And this will we do, if God permit.
IF YOU WANT TO GROW AND BECOME EMOTIONALLY MATURE AND
ABLE TO HANDLE ANGER WHEN IT ARISES, THEN THERE IS WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE TO PREPARE FOR IT. YOUR UNRESOLVED ANGER IS STORED IN A BANK ACCOUNT IN YOUR SUBCONSCIOUS MIND WAITING TO BE RELEASED. IN ORDER TO PROPERLY MANAGE YOUR ANGER YOUR UNRESOLVED ANGER FUND NEEDS TO BE REDUCED OF ANY BALANCES THAT MAY HAVE ACCUMULATED OVER YOUR LIFETIME. ALSO, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF OTHER THINGS THAT MUST BE DONE AND A NUMBER OF AREAS OF YOUR LIFE THAT MUST BE RE-EVALUATED SO THAT YOU CAN RESPOND IN A MATURE WAY IN CONFLICT SITUATIONS. DEALING WITH YOUR ANGER IN THE QUIET PERIODS WHEN YOU ARE NOT ANGRY DECREASES THE FREQUENCY, THE INTENSITY AND THE INAPPROPRIATENESS OF YOUR ANGER.
2 Tim 1:9
9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was
given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
Rom 8:28
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Eph 1:11
11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
PEOPLE WHO HAVE A POSITIVE PURSUIT IN THEIR LIVES HAVE LESS TIME AND REASON TO BE ANGRY THAN PEOPLE WHO ARE STUCK IN THE MUD AND LIVING IN THE PAST. BEFORE YOU CAN MOVE FORWARD IN THE REALIZATION OF GOD’S PURPOSE FOR YOUR LIVES YOU MUST BE WILLING TO LET GO OF THE PAST:
Phi
l 3:13-1413 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching
forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
HERE AGAIN, WE MUST FORGET THE PAST WITH ALL ITS HURTS, IRRITATIONS AND DISAPPOINTMENTS IF WE WANT TO FINISH OUR COURSE AND DESTINY IN CHRIST. YOU CAN’T LIVE YOUR LIFE LOOKING BACKWARDS ALL THE TIME. YOU MUST KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE GOAL FOR THE PRIZE OF THE HIGH CALLING OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS. THE PERSON WHO IS PROGRESSING FORWARD TOWARDS PERSONAL GOALS IS LESS LIKELY TO BE JEALOUS OF ANOTHER PERSON’S SUCCESS, WHICH OFTEN MANIFESTS ITSELF IN ANGER. IF YOU WANT TO LEARN HOW TO MANAGE ANGER THEN YOU MUST HAVE MEANINGFUL AND CONSTRUCTIVE GOALS FOR BOTH YOUR WORK AND YOUR LEISURE TIME. THE FIRST WAY TO HANDLE YOUR ANGER IS TO MAINTAIN A PURPOSEFUL LIFE.
1Thes 4:11-12
11 And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business,
and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you;
12 That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without,
and that ye may have lack of nothing.
2. THE SECOND WAY YOU CAN PREPARE YOURSELF TO MEET THE CHALLENGES OF TOMORROW’S ANGER IS TO MAINTAIN GOOD HEALTH HABITS. WHEN WE ARE TIRED WE ARE MORE PRONE TO SNAP AT OTHERS AND TO OVERREACT TO THE SMALL THINGS THAT IRRITATE US. WHEN WE ARE TIRED OUR TOLERANCE FOR PRESSURE AND NEW PROBLEMS IS DEFINITELY LOWERED. PROPER DIET, REST, RELAXATION AND EXERCISE ARE ALSO ESSENTIAL IN PREPARING FOR ANGER. OTHER MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS SUCH AS KEEPING DOWN EXCESSIVE NOISE AND CLUTTER IN OUR BACKGROUNDS SHOULD ALSO BE IMPLEMENTED.
Eccl 9:17
17 The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than
the cry of him that ruleth among fools.
Isa 32:18
18 And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure
dwellings, and in quiet resting places;
Heb 4:9
9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
3. THE THIRD WAY THAT WE CAN PREPARE FOR ANGER IS TO HAVE AND MAINTAIN A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD. OUR UNCONFESSED SIN STILL CREATE A BARRIER BETWEEN US AND GOD. WHEN WE CONFESS OUR SIN OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD WILL BE HEALED, ENHANCED AND OPTIMIZED. WHEN WE REALIZE ALL THAT GOD HAS DONE FOR US IN SPITE OF ALL THE HURT WE HAVE CAUSED TO OTHERS AND TO GOD HIMSELF IT CAN’T HELP BUT MAKE YOU MORE TOLERANT AND MERCIFUL. MERCY MEANS YOU DON’T GET WHAT YOU DESERVE AND WHEN GOD FORGIVES US HE CHOOSES NOT TO GIVE US THE JUDGEMENT WE DESERVE FOR OUR OWN PERSONAL SINS. THIS SHOULD RESULT IN OUR WILLINGNESS TO FORGIVE OTHERS WHO SIN AGAINST US AND SOFTEN OUR TENDENCY TO BE ANGRY AT OTHERS FOR HURTING US. ALSO WHEN WE SPEND QUALITY TIME WITH GOD IN PRAYER, WORSHIP AND THE READING OF HIS WORD HE CAN HELP CLARIFY AREAS IN OUR LIVES THAT NEED WORKING ON AND CAN BETTER PREPARE US TO HANDLE CONFLICT WHEN IT ARISES.
1 Cor 1:10
10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
1 Cor 3:2-3
2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
WHEN WE ARE INCONSISTENT, COMPROMISED AND CARNAL IN OUR CHRISTIAN WALK WE ARE MORE PRONE TO ANGER. I HAVE NOTICED WHEN I AM OUT OF FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD THAT MY TOLERANCE LEVEL DECREASES AND MY ABILITY TO MAKE RIGHT DECISIONS IS GREATLY HINDERED. BUT THOSE THAT WAIT UPON THE LORD SHALL RENEW THEIR STRENGTH. WHEN WE WAIT ON GOD BY READING HIS WORD AND PRAYER WE REGAIN THE STRENGTH WE USED FOR YESTERDAY’S CHALLENGES. A GOOD EXAMPLE OF THIS IN THE SCRIPTURE IS BALAAM.
Num 22:12-35
12 And God said unto Balaam, Thou shalt not go with them;
thou shalt not curse the people: for they are blessed.
13 And Balaam rose up in the morning, and said unto the princes of Balak, Get you into your land: for the LORD refuseth to give me leave to go with you.
14 And the princes of Moab rose up, and they went unto Balak, and said,
Balaam refuseth to come with us.
15 And Balak sent yet again princes, more, and more honourable than they.
16 And they came to Balaam, and said to him, Thus saith Balak the son of Zippor, Let nothing, I pray thee, hinder thee from coming unto me:
17 For I will promote thee unto very great honour, and I will do whatsoever thou sayest unto me: come therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people.
18 And Balaam answered and said unto the servants of Balak, If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the word of the
LORD my God, to do less or more.
19 Now therefore, I pray you, tarry ye also here this night, that I
may know what the LORD will say unto me more.
20 And God came unto Balaam at night, and said unto him, If the men come to call thee, rise up, and go with them; but yet the word which
I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou do.
21 And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass,
and went with the princes of Moab.
22 And God's anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the LORD stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass,
and his two servants were with him.
23 And the ass saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way.
24 But the angel of the LORD stood in a path of the vineyards,
a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side.
25 And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall: and he smote her again.
26 And the angel of the LORD went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left.
27 And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she fell down under Balaam: and Balaam's anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff.
28 And the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?
29 And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee.
30 And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto this day? was I ever wont to do
so unto thee? And he said, Nay.
31 Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he
bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face.
32 And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I went out to withstand thee,
because thy way is perverse before me:
33 And the ass saw me, and turned from me these three times: unless she had turned from me, surely now also I had slain thee, and saved her alive.
34 And Balaam said unto the angel of the LORD, I have sinned; for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me: now therefore,
if it displease thee, I will get me back again.
35 And the angel of the LORD said unto Balaam, Go with the men: but only the word that I shall speak unto thee, that thou shalt speak.
So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.
BALAAM WANTED TO GO WHERE GOD WASN’T LEADING HIM FOR PERSONAL GAIN. SO GOD ALLOWED BALAAM’S DONKEY TO IRRITATE HIM WHICH CAUSED BALAAM TO PAUSE AND GET ANGRY WITH HIS DONKEY. BALAAAM FAILED TO SEE THAT THE HAND OF GOD WAS BEHIND THIS SITUATION AND TRYING TO WARN HIM. BALAAM IS SO ANGRY THAT HE FINDS HIMSELF TALKING TO HIS DONKEY AND DOESN’T EVEN RECOGNIZE THAT THE DONKEY IS TALKING BACK TO HIM. I BELIEVE THAT GOD CAN USES THE DONKEYS OF HURTS, DISAPPOINTMENTS AND SUFFERING TO SPEAK TO OUR LIVES TO GIVE DIRECTION AND CONVICTION OF PERSONAL SIN AND FAILURE IN OUR LIVES TO BRING US TO A PLACE OF REPENTANCE. IF WE DON’T GET THE MESSAGE WE MAY END UP JUST GETTING ANGRY AT EVERYBODY AND EVERYTHING, INCLUDING GOD.
Job 36:18
18 Watch out! Don't let your anger at others lead you into scoffing at God! Don't let your suffering embitter you at the only one who can deliver you.
NEXT WEEK WE WILL LOOK AT SEVERAL MORE THINGS THAT WE CAN DO TO PREPARE FOR CONFLICT AND TO MINIMIZE ANGRY SITUATIONS IN OUR LIVES. ONE OF THOSE MAJOR AREAS IS LEARNING TO MAINTAIN HEALTHY EXPECTATIONS IN OUR RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS BOTH IN CHURCH, AT HOME AND A WORK.
IT IS GOD’S WILL FOR YOU TO BE IN CONTROL OF YOUR LIFE AND DESTINY AND NOT TO JUST LIVE YOUR LIFE BY DEFAULT BUT BY HIS DESIGN AND PURPOSE. GOD WANTS YOU AND I TO GROW UP AND BECOME MATURE, RESPONSIBLE AND TEMPERATE PEOPLE WHO DO NOT CONDUCT THE AFFAIRS OF THEIR LIFE ON AN EMOTIONAL BASIS ALONE BUT BY THE LEADING OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD, THE WORD OF GOD AND PRAYER. WHEN YOUR EMOTIONS ARE UNDER ATTACK THE ENEMY WILL TRY TO MODIFY YOUR CONDUCT AND BEHAVIOR TO CONFORM TO HIS PURPOSES AND THAT’S WHY WE MUST LEARN HOW TO OVERCOME THESE EMOTIONAL ATTACKS AND WALK IN VICTORY.
1 Cor 15:56-58
56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that
your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
