Purity 349 02/23/2021 Purity 349 Podcast
Today’s spectacular panoramic shot from of the South Coast of Australia
comes from our friends at Dave Baun Photography who have a real zest for life that
causes them to go out and to experience the beauty of God’s creation and to
share it with others.
You know I love to travel but I have to be honest, although I was a huge
Lost fan, I never really have considered going to Australia but the more I see
of “the land down under” the more I think I just might have to make the trip!
It makes me wonder: Why didn’t I ever really think about it? Any thoughts I may have entertained about
Australia were probably dismissed because of the cost, the distance, the time, the
difficulty, or maybe just because of the fact that I didn’t really know
anything about Australia or anyone who lived there. But the more I see of Australia, the more it
captures my imagination and causes me to think: “I want to experience that.”
Sharing our experiences can impact people’s lives, causing them to step
out and experience something they never thought they would.
That’s why I try to share the hope and new life that is found in Jesus
Christ because I have experienced the life changing power of His love and know
that “going there” is worth your time.
Our lives are meant to be lived. So we should step out and see all the
things on this earth that we want to experience but I have to tell you that
your journey will not be complete unless you put your faith in Christ and live
continually in God’s presence.
When you do that not only will you see the world through eyes that can
appreciate the beauty in the world, but you will know that it was all created
by a God who loves you and who wants to take you with Him on a journey that
goes from here to eternity, a journey that overflows with joy, love, and peace
no matter what sights you see.
This morning’s meditations
verse is:
Psalm 106:3 (NLT2)
3 There is joy for those who deal
justly with others and always do what is right.
Just believing can be a slippery fish sometimes… we have to hold on to our faith with both hands and all of our minds.
Today we will share from Dr. June Hunt’s Biblical Counseling Keys on “Anger:
Facing the Fire Within”
As always, I share this information for educational purposes
and encourage all to purchase Dr. Hunt’s books for your own private study and
to support her work:
II. CHARACTERISTICS OF ANGER
Hurt Ignites Anger
Betrayal by an enemy certainly hurts our feelings, but betrayal by a friend
deeply wounds the soul. Everyone expects opposition from those on the outside,
but what do you do when opposition comes from within—from among your own
circle... your closest confidants... your trusted few?
One national leader knew the hurt of such betrayal. He had led
wisely, demonstrated courage, and won the confidence of his people. He was there
for them—and they knew it.
However, his authority was undermined by a subordinate who created such
dissension that he successfully stole the loyalty of 250 others. Those the
leader had trusted throughout the years... those who knew him best... those who
should have been most loyal... turned against him. In response, however, Moses
did not express his anger by taking personal revenge—he did not react
impulsively—but rather appealed to the Lord to act on his behalf....
"Moses became very angry and said to the Lord, 'Do not accept their offering. I have not... wronged
any of them.'" (Numbers 16:15)
Although justifiably angry, Moses had learned how to face the fiery anger
within and to act wisely rather than to react foolishly. He restrained
his rage, poured out his heart, and pleaded with the Lord to deal with his
offenders. In turn, God took up his cause, destroyed his betrayers, and
defended his honor. Moses refused to take revenge, but rather allowed the Lord
to be his avenger because God had given this promise....
"It is mine to avenge; I will repay." (Deuteronomy 32:35)
A. What Are Your "Anger Cues"?
When it comes to "picturing" anger, perhaps the most poignant
illustration would be one of those cragged, gargantuan land formations that
sputter with steam and spew molten rock—the volcano.
Like anger, before a toxic flow emerges, there is a gurgling beneath the
surface, a swirling series of events that creates instability and sets the
stage for an explosive outburst. Scientists have learned how to look for
"cues" that a volcano is about to erupt, including the release of
steam and gases, small earthquakes and tremors, and swelling of the volcano's
slopes.
Similarly, the human body has a physical reaction when it experiences
anger. These anger cues can alert you when you begin to feel angry.
Discerning your own anger cues can help you avoid trouble. Likewise, being
aware of the signs of anger in others can alert you to defend yourself, just
like a firefighter defends himself by wearing fire-retardant clothing.
A biblical example of an anger cue is Jonathan's loss of appetite when he
was hurt and grieved over his father's unjust, shameful treatment toward his
close friend David....
"Jonathan got up from the table in fierce anger... he did not eat,
because he was grieved at his father's shameful treatment of David." (1 Samuel 20:34)
Anger Cues Checklist
|
In seeking to identify your anger cues, place a check mark
(✓) beside the following questions that are true of
you: |
|
|
Do you have a decreased appetite? |
Do you have tense muscles? |
|
Do you feel unusually hot or cold? |
Do you have increased perspiration? |
|
Do you feel flushed? |
Do you clench your teeth? |
|
Do you clench your fists? |
Do you experience dry mouth? |
|
Do you become silent—shutting down verbally? |
Do you use loud, rapid, or high-pitched speech? |
|
Do you breathe faster and harder than normal? |
Do you experience an upset, churning stomach? |
|
Do you walk hard and fast or pace back and forth? |
Do you have twitches or anxious behaviors (such as tapping
a pencil, shaking a foot)? |
|
Do you use language that is inappropriate, harsh, or
coarse, including gossip and sarcasm? |
Do you feel your heart racing? |
Once you have identified your anger cues, you will be in a better position
to quickly identify when you are angry. Then you can direct your energies to
produce a positive outcome....
"Godly sorrow brings repentance... and leaves no regret.... See what
this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to
clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern,
what readiness to see justice done." (2 Corinthians
7:10-11)
Anger and Heart Health
Question: "Can anger cause any serious heart
problems?"
Answer: Yes, anger
can trigger potentially deadly heart rhythms in certain vulnerable people as
stated in a study published in March 2009 out of Yale University. According to
the American College of Cardiology, sudden cardiac death accounts for 400,000
deaths each year in the United States.
Dr. Rachel Lampert and colleagues of Yale University studied 62 patients
with heart disease and implantable defibrillators that can detect dangerous
heart arrhythmias and deliver an electrical shock to restore a normal
heartbeat. The electrical activity of the heart was measured as each patient
recounted a recent angry episode. Results showed that the anger did increase
the electrical instability of the heart in these patients. After following
these patients for three years, Dr. Lampert said the study suggests that anger
really does impact the heart's electrical system in ways that can lead to
sudden death. Most people find a way to justify their anger. However, the Bible
says...
"There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads
to death." (Proverbs 14:12)
Biblical Counseling Keys - Biblical Counseling Keys – Biblical Counseling Keys:
Anger: Facing the Fire Within.
-----------------------------more
on Monday -------------------------
God bless
you all!
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