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Showing posts with label Anger. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Anger. Show all posts

Friday, March 12, 2021

Purity 364: Encouragement for the Path of Christian Discipleship

Purity 364  03/12/2021 Purity 364 Podcast

Good morning and Thank God It’s Friday!

Today’s photo of a stunning sunset comes from our friends who are vacationing in Port Charlotte, Florida. They’ve chronicled their journey and from what I can see it looks like they have made some definitive plans for the future and some time down the road they may be looking at sunsets like this on a full-time basis.  

That’s what is great about life: that God gives us a free will that allows us to change our circumstances.  If you’re discontented with New York winters, you can take steps to leave them behind for good.  This is just one example of course of the fact that we can make goals and work towards them to move into something new. 

Believe me, in the not so distant past, I was faced with what seemed like insurmountable problems that included addiction, financial debt, and broken relationships. But through out it all I trusted in the Lord and communed with Him daily in prayer speaking my heart’s desires and frustrations. 

I didn’t even know what the specifics of the plan was to be honest, but I did everything that I could do on a daily basis towards a better life, leaning on the Lord every step of the way.  The Lord gave me His wisdom, strength, and love when I desperately need it and He guided me to deliverance.

Today, those problems are in the past and I am dedicated to encouraging others to seek the Lord and to follow where He leads because I know that when you do, He will lead you to better places and give you the strength, wisdom, and love you need while you get there.    And that’s why I will share:

Psalm 113:3 (NKJV)
3 From the rising of the sun to its going down The LORD'S name is to be praised.

Praise the Lord in good times and bad. If you are in a dark place, make a plan and follow that small glimmer of hope. Trust the Lord and He will see you through.  

We made it to the end of another week, so rejoice and enjoy your weekend to the fullest!

 God bless you all! 

(An Audio version of this message is available at https://mt4christ247.podbean.com, you can also find it on Apple podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-mt4christ247s-podcast/id1551615154) and Google podcasts (https://podcasts.google.com/?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZGJlYW4uY29tL210NGNocmlzdDI0Ny9mZWVkLnhtbA%3D%3D).) There is more content at the restricted blog. Follow me on Twitter or MeWe for easy access.  Blog M T 4 Christ dot org – This is where the Facebook post ends.)

This morning’s meditation verse is:

Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV)
6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Today’s verse was used in last night’s discipleship class as we were discussing faith and three aspects of faith. Those aspects were that:

1.    Faith must have an object – You must have faith in someone or something. You can’t just have faith in faith.  Of course, God and His Word are the perfect faith object because He is the creator of the universe and the author of all truth.

2.    The level of your faith is dependent upon how well you know your faith object. So to have a stronger or deeper faith in God we should endeavor to know more about Him and His ways through studying His word.  The more you know the more you grow.

3.    Faith is an action word.  Our faith is proven by the way we act. Faith in Christ should be acted upon with a changed life being the result.  Good works are also way to act out our fait

All three of these points are evident in Hebrews 11:6, as it tells us that:

·       “he who comes to God must believe that He is” – which points to us taking our faith and placing it in Him through Jesus Christ – Making God/Jesus Christ the object of our faith.  

·       And then “He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” which points to our both our “taking action with our faith” and our efforts to know Him more to grow in our faith.

This verse also assures us that our faith pleases God, which not only indicates that faith is the means to our salvation, but also suggests that God is calling us to continuously grow our faith by seeking Him.  If we do so, this verse promises that we will be rewarded.   And believe me, I have diligently sought the Lord over the past 10 years, and I can tell you that I have been rewarded in countless ways.   

So let me encourage you to walk in the Spirit, by setting the intention to grow your faith by seeking to know God more, not by just studying the Bible, although you should definitely do that, like continuously, but also by looking at your everyday life and seeing where you could benefit from changing your ways to God’s way. 

Life transformation comes from practicing what we preach. It comes from not only renewing our mind but also from giving our hearts to God.  When you do that you are placing your faith in God and living through the power of the Holy Spirit.

I invite all to mt4chritst.org where I always share insights from prominent Christian counselors to assist my brothers and sisters in Christ with their walk. 

 

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:

J. How to Communicate Your Anger to Another

A fire extinguisher is an effective tool for putting out small fires, but proper procedures must be followed. Remembering the acronym PASS will ensure that you are operating the extinguisher appropriately with maximum firefighting results:

P—Pull the pin.

A—Aim the extinguisher nozzle at the base of the flames.

S—Squeeze the trigger while holding the extinguisher upright.

S—Sweep the extinguisher from side to side, covering the area of the fire with the extinguishing spray.

Learning how to convey anger appropriately will better help you put out the fires of your inflammatory relationships.

Before communicating your anger toward someone, take time to evaluate whether addressing it is necessary and appropriate and whether you think it will prove beneficial. Some people simply do not know how to handle anger directed toward them. They become either hostile and defensive, or weak and placating. Neither response solves anything. In fact, the result can be as if someone has pumped oxygen into your anger, enflaming it all the more.

If you want merely to vent your feelings and to release some pent-up steam, then pour out your heart to God and maybe to another trusted person, but not to the person with whom you are angry. If you decide to arrange a meeting, you will need to do certain things in preparation....

"Righteousness goes before him and prepares the way for his steps." (Psalm 85:13)

  • Choose to be proactive....
    • —Examine your motivation.
    • —Be realistic in your expectations.
    • —Know what you want to accomplish.
    • —Assess the legitimacy of your request.
    • —Rehearse how you will approach the subject.
    • —Anticipate possible reactions from the other person.
    • —Think through how you might respond to those reactions.
    • —Decide whether you are willing to live with any negative repercussions.
    • —Talk with a wise and trusted person if you are uncertain what to do.
  • Choose a time and place to talk....
    • —Select a time and place convenient for both of you in an atmosphere conducive for listening and sharing.
    • —Meet on "neutral turf" so that both of you are likely to feel equal in power and importance.
    • —Allot sufficient time to address the concerns both of you have.
    • —Commit the time to God and seek His wisdom and understanding.

  • Choose to communicate your desires for open and honest communication and resolution....
    • —Express your pain and anger in a loving, non-accusatory way without criticizing the person's character... utilizing the "Sandwich Technique."
    • —Evaluate the willingness of the other person to receive your rebuke without becoming angry or defensive. Are they willing to understand your hurt, fear, frustration, or indignation over an injustice?
    • —Give opportunity for a response without interruption or defensiveness on your part.
    • —Affirm what is being said by repeating and clarifying spoken statements.
    • —Request any desired changes in behavior that you believe will resolve the present problem and prevent future problems.
    • —Agree to change any problematic behavior on your part.
    • —Promote fairness and objectivity, openness, and optimism.
    • —Extend total forgiveness unreservedly and willingly.
    • —Value differences in goals, desires, and priorities.
    • —Applaud the person's willingness to listen to you, to resolve the problem, and to work toward improving your relationship.

Always keep in mind...

"A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver." (Proverbs 25:11)

Control When Confronting

Question: "How can I spiritually control my temper when confronting?"

Answer: The Bible says you are to... "Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone" (Colossians 4:6).

Demonstrate the grace of God by saying to yourself...

  • —"I placed my anger on the cross with Christ."
  • —"I am no longer controlled by anger."
  • —"I am alive with Christ living inside me."
  • —"I will let Christ forgive through me."
  • —"I will let Christ love through me."
  • —"I will let Christ reveal truth through me. "Make this your reality... "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me" (Galatians 2:20).


Biblical Counseling Keys - Biblical Counseling Keys – Biblical Counseling Keys: Anger: Facing the Fire Within.

----------------------------more tomorrow-------------------------

 

God bless you all!

 

Join our Victory over the Darkness Discipleship Class via the mt4christ247 podcast!

at https://mt4christ247.podbean.com, You can also find it on Apple podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-mt4christ247s-podcast/id1551615154) and Google podcasts (https://podcasts.google.com/?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZGJlYW4uY29tL210NGNocmlzdDI0Ny9mZWVkLnhtbA%3D%3D

Email me at mt4christ247@gmail.com to receive the class materials, share your progress, and to be encouraged.

 

Thursday, March 11, 2021

Purity 363: Encouragement for the Path of Christian Discipleship


Purity 363 03/11/2021  Purity 363 Podcast

Good morning!

Today’s path to a beach at Hilton Head South Carolina comes from our friend who is not only enjoying their vacation but they’re gracious enough to share scenes like this with us. In itself the photo isn’t super stunning, but I love the clear pathway that is presented here that fills you with the expectation of leaving the rest of the world behind and enjoying a day at the beach that God created for our enjoyment.  

Expectation is another way of saying hope and when our hopes are fulfilled the result is joy!

This photo also reminds me of Psalm 18:19 which says:

Psalm 18:19 (CEB)
19 He brought me out to wide-open spaces; he pulled me out safe because he is pleased with me.

When we answer the call of the Lord to be His, we walk out of the quagmire of a life of confusion and into the wide-open spaces of His grace that gives us the power to overcome the darkness and fear of our pasts as we are assured that He has brought us to a new life that is defined by love, joy, and peace.

Of course, its Thursday and I love sharing pathway photos because I teach a class that attempts to show others how to walk on the pathway to discipleship.  Our text is Dr. Neil Anderson’s “Victory over the Darkness” and I invite all who read this to join us via the mt4christ247 podcast.  No matter where you may be today, you can start with Lesson 1 and receive all the class materials by emailing me at mt4christ247@gmail.com. The class is free.  I have been increasingly enjoying my freedom in Christ and feel compelled to help others discover theirs too.  

Whether you join our class or not, I encourage you to keep walking and talking with God.  Through a living relationship with Him through faith in Jesus Christ we can over come any hurt, habit or hang up that is preventing us from living the abundant life that He has already provided for us.  

(An Audio version of this message is available at https://mt4christ247.podbean.com, you can also find it on Apple podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-mt4christ247s-podcast/id1551615154) and Google podcasts (https://podcasts.google.com/?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZGJlYW4uY29tL210NGNocmlzdDI0Ny9mZWVkLnhtbA%3D%3D).) There is more content at the restricted blog. Follow me on Twitter or MeWe for easy access.  Blog M T 4 Christ dot org – This is where the Facebook post ends.)

This morning’s meditation verse is:

Ephesians 2:10 (NKJV)
10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Today’s verse follows verse 8 & 9, that tell us that we are saved by grace through faith in Christ and not by our works.  That’s a huge point about our Christian faith that many people don’t understand.  In my childhood liturgical tradition, I understood I was a sinner and that I had to “be good” in order to go to heaven. 

After decades of condemnation, confusion, and seeking truth in all the wrong places, I finally heard the message of grace by faith that made me realize that the gospel of Christ wasn’t about me earning my salvation through works. The gospel was about me choosing to place my faith in Jesus Christ and immediately becoming declared righteous by God.  The works come after salvation, not before it!

That’s what this verse is telling us. Only when we are His can we accomplish anything. Jesus Himself tells us this in:

John 15:5 (NKJV)
5 I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.  

This verse reflects the truth that we can’t save ourselves. It also points out that we are to live our lives by faith because if we try to do good works for the kingdom of God in our own strength we will fail.   

Today’s verse Ephesians 2:10, tells us that we are God’s workmanship created in Christ through our faith in Him for good works.  We weren’t just saved by Christ to go to heaven when we die. We were created in Christ to do good works. 

Not only that but this verse tells us that God who knows all of human history before it happens, for He can see the end from the beginning, has already prepared good works for us to do.  Of course we have free will, but our purpose in life is to look for and accomplish the good works that God puts in our path. 

Our Christian faith therefore dispels the world’s lament that life is meaningless because God who sees it all has made our lives full of meaning as we are meant to accomplish all that he has prepared for us. That should give us the blessing of assurance.

Not only are we assured that we have eternal life with God, but it assures us that the life we have now has a plan that we can choose to search out and walk in. It assures us that no matter what calamities we face in life, God is aware of it, is with us through them all, and is encouraging us to keep going because we have good works to walk in on the other side of our current troubles. So keep going and keep your eyes open for what God has prepared for you.

I invite all to mt4chritst.org where I always share insights from prominent Christian counselors to assist my brothers and sisters in Christ with their walk. 

 

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:

I. How to Alleviate Your Present Anger

Like a firefighter's hose spraying water on a fire, working through the following eight "As" can do much to douse the potentially dangerous effects of anger in your life. Firefighters are always equipped with a variety of hoses, each designed to handle different sized fires, with one goal in mind—alleviating threatening flames.

  • Handlines are small hoses 1.5 to 1.75 inches in diameter.
  • Booster lines are larger, rubber-jacketed hoses stored on reels.
  • LDH (large-diameter hose), measuring about 5 inches in diameter and useful for supplying water from hydrants to pumper trucks, is the largest hose used by firefighters.

Because "anger is one letter short of danger" (this saying is more than a catchy phrase), these words reflect a painful truth. Too many times the tongue has not been tamed, conversations have escalated out of control, and people and relationships have been damaged, if not destroyed. Proverbs tells us...

"As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife." (Proverbs 26:21)

Acknowledge Your Anger.

  • Be willing to admit you have anger.
  • Be aware of when you feel angry.
  • Become aware of how you suppress or repress your anger either because of fear or pride.
  • Be willing to take responsibility for any inappropriate anger. Realize... "He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy" (Proverbs 28:13).

Ascertain Your Style.

  • How often do you feel angry? (Often? Sometimes? Seldom? Never?)
  • How do you know when you are angry?
  • How do others know when you are angry?
  • How do you release your anger? (Do you explode? Do you criticize? Do you joke or tease? Do you become sarcastic... defensive... teary-eyed?)As you seek to identify the way you express your anger, pray... "Test me, O Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind" (Psalm 26:2).

Assess the Source.

  • Hurt: Is the source of your anger hurt feelings from the words or actions of others?
  • Injustice: Is the source of your anger the unjust actions of someone toward you or another person?
  • Fear: Is the source of your anger fear due to a recent or anticipated loss?
  • Frustration: Is the source of your anger frustration over blocked plans, hopes, or dreams? Commit to total honesty before God.... "I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity" (1 Chronicles 29:17).

Appraise Your Thinking.

  • Are you expecting others to meet your standards?
    • —"She should take better care of her children."
    • —"He ought to notice what I do for him."
    • —"He must be here before 7:00 p.m."
    • —"She'd better not call during dinner!"
  • Are you guilty of distorted thinking?
    • —Exaggerating the situation
    • —Assuming the worst
    • —Labeling one action based on other actions
    • —Generalizing by saying, "you never" or "you always"
  • Are you believing lies?
    • —"God is punishing me for my past."
    • —"I don't deserve to be loved or successful."
    • —"My future depends on my ability to keep this job."
    • —"God isn't really interested in whether I'm fulfilled or not."
  • Are you blaming God or others?
    • —"This situation is someone else's fault, not mine."
    • —"He is responsible for this mess."
    • —"She let this happen."
    • —"God let me down. “Remember... "A wicked man puts up a bold front, but an upright man gives thought to his ways" (Proverbs 21:29).

Admit Your Needs.

  • Do you use manipulative anger as a ploy in an attempt to feel loved?
  • Do you use explosive anger, insisting on certain conditions in order to feel significant?
  • Do you use controlling anger to demand your way in order to feel secure?
  • Do you know that only Christ can ultimately meet all of your inner needs for love, significance, and security? Rest assured... "My God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:19).

Abandon Your Demands.

Instead of demanding that others meet your inner needs for love, significance, and security, learn to look to the Lord to meet your needs.

  • Look to the Lord to meet your need for love. “Lord, though I would like to feel more love from others, I know You love me unconditionally, and you will love me forever....""I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness" (Jeremiah 31:3).
  • Look to the Lord to meet your need for significance. “Lord, though I would like to feel more significant to those around me, I know I am significant in Your eyes....""'I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future'" (Jeremiah 29:11).
  • Look to the Lord to meet your need for security. “Lord, though I wish I felt more secure in my relationships, I know I am secure in my relationship with You....""The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" (Psalm 118:6).
  • Look to the Lord to meet all of your needs for life and godliness. “Lord, though I wish others would be more responsive to my needs, I know You have promised to meet all of my needs....""His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness" (2 Peter 1:3).Constantly remind yourself..."God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work" (2 Corinthians 9:8).

Address Your Anger.

  • Determine whether your anger is really justified.
    • —Has a wrong been committed?
    • —Has anyone suffered hurt or injury?
    • —Has an injustice occurred? Consider... "This is what the Lord Almighty says: 'Give careful thought to your ways'" (Haggai 1:5).
  • Decide on the appropriate response.
    • —How important is the issue?
    • —Would a good purpose be served if I mention it?
    • —Should I acknowledge my anger only to the Lord? Remember... "[There is] a time to be silent and a time to speak" (Ecclesiastes 3:7).
  • Depend on the Holy Spirit for guidance.
    • —Ask for counsel about your anger.
    • —Ask for insight about your anger.
    • —Ask for wisdom about your anger. Feel confident about the role of the Holy Spirit in your life.... "The Spirit of truth... will guide you into all truth.... and he will tell you what is yet to come" (John 16:13).
  • Develop constructive dialogue if you need to confront an offender.
    • —Don't speak rashly with a heart of unforgiveness. Do... Think carefully or "care fully" before you speak cautiously.
    • —Don't use "you" phrases such as: "How could you?" or "Why can't you? “Do... Use personal statements such as "I feel...." or "I need...."
    • —Don't bring up past grievances. Do... Stay focused on the present issue.
    • —Don't assume the other person is wrong. Do... Listen for feedback from another point of view.
    • —Don't expect instant understanding. Do... Be patient and keep responding with a gentle tone of voice.

"Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone." (Proverbs 25:15)

Alter Your Attitudes. (Read Philippians 2:2-8.)

—Have the goal to be like-minded with Christ

v. 2

"Make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose."

—Do not think of yourself first

v. 3

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit..."

—Give the other person preferential treatment

v. 3

"... but in humility consider others better than yourselves."

—Consider the interests of the other person

v. 4

"Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others."

—Have the attitude of Jesus Christ

v. 5

"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus..."

—Do not emphasize your position or rights

v. 6

"Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped..."

—Look for ways to serve with a servant's heart

v. 7

"... but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness."

—Speak and act with a humble spirit

v. 8

"And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself..."

—Obey the Word of God, and submit your will to His will

v. 8

"... and became obedient..."

—Be willing to die to your own desires

v. 8

"to deatheven death on a cross!"

Anger and Regaining Trust

Question: "How can I regain the trust of my wife when I've pushed her around and then blamed her for provoking me to anger?"

Answer: She needs to hear you take full responsibility for your wrong choices and to hear how your wrong choices are going to become right choices.

  • Verbalize that you were totally wrong for reacting to her in anger. Admit your harshness is totally your fault.
  • Confess your harshness as selfishness and an attempt to control her.
  • Ask if she would be willing to truly forgive you. (This may take time, so do not be demanding of her.)
  • Demonstrate the depth of your remorse by the strength of your resolve to change. (Promises and tears won't build trust, but actions will.) Develop a plan to act differently when you are angry.
  • Share your plan with her and then be consistent in carrying it out.

The way to gain trust is to prove, over time, that you are trustworthy—not just when the relationship is easy, but when it is hard... when you feel frustrated, when getting your way has failed. Consistency is the key.

Consistently responding without any harshness can, over time, change her heart and regain her trust....

"Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them." (Colossians 3:19)


Biblical Counseling Keys - Biblical Counseling Keys – Biblical Counseling Keys: Anger: Facing the Fire Within.

----------------------------more tomorrow-------------------------

 

God bless you all!

 

Join our Victory over the Darkness Discipleship Class via the mt4christ247 podcast!

at https://mt4christ247.podbean.com, You can also find it on Apple podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-mt4christ247s-podcast/id1551615154) and Google podcasts (https://podcasts.google.com/?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZGJlYW4uY29tL210NGNocmlzdDI0Ny9mZWVkLnhtbA%3D%3D

Email me at mt4christ247@gmail.com to receive the class materials, share your progress, and to be encouraged.

 

Wednesday, March 10, 2021

Purity 362: Encouragement for the Path of Christian Discipleship


Purity 362  03/10/2021 Purity 362 Podcast

Good morning!

Today’s perfectly reflected mountain scene comes from True North Counseling Ministries (https://www.facebook.com/True-North-Counseling-Ministries-105784151322070/). The location was undisclosed so I don’t know where this is, but I can still appreciate the beauty of God’s creation in all it’s glory.

I share it because of its perfectly reflected symmetry and because its Wednesday and I like to assure my friends that we get over that “hump” and maintain or reestablish balance in our lives as we progress through another week.  

The best way to regain balance is to come into harmony with God and to live according to His wisdom. 

If we’ve accomplished some measure of balance and peace that’s great but God called us to love one another as well.  The best way we can do that is to be a supportive and loving friend to those around us. 

This world is full of problems and dysfunction and people are doing the best they can according to what they know. If we are in Christ, we know hope and godly wisdom and we must share it the best we can.  

So as you are trying to steady your walk through this world, remember to reach out a helping hand to those around you. Your words, attention, support, and prayers can be a great comfort to those who are trying to make it through this life in their own strength. 

So keep walking and talking with God.  Lean on Him for strength when you need it and be sure to offer the strength, wisdom, and love you have received to those around you in need.

(An Audio version of this message is available at https://mt4christ247.podbean.com, you can also find it on Apple podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-mt4christ247s-podcast/id1551615154) and Google podcasts (https://podcasts.google.com/?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZGJlYW4uY29tL210NGNocmlzdDI0Ny9mZWVkLnhtbA%3D%3D).) There is more content at the restricted blog. Follow me on Twitter or MeWe for easy access.  Blog M T 4 Christ dot org – This is where the Facebook post ends.)

This morning’s meditation verse is:

Revelation 22:20 (NKJV)
20 He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming quickly." Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!

Today’s verse is the second to last verse in the Bible. The Apostle John quotes Jesus who assures us that He is coming quickly, and John is all for it. So am I.

Skeptics would scoff at the word “quickly” as it has been over two thousand years since Christ ascended to heaven but if we properly understand the verse, we know that “quickly” is referring more to the way Christ will return than when He will return. 

Christ can return any day as He has described His return as a thief coming in the night. His return will be swift and unexpected. So as much as I enjoy some prophetic messages, I know that no one will know the day of His return until it already happens. 

So, I will also spare you any end times theories of my own because I know that God will do things His way and only after it has been done will we be able to have some understanding of how it correlates with the Word of God, but it most certainly will.      

But we should take great comfort in knowing that the evil in this world will be judged and that Christ will return to reclaim the earth and make a new earth and a new heaven.  This is our great hope for the future: that God will make all things right.  

You may ask: “Well that’s the future, so what do we do now?”

Instead of focusing on the end times, we should be focusing on Christ’s command in:

Matthew 28:19-20 (NKJV)
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

I am trying in my own small way to meet that commission by teaching a discipleship class and continuously testifying about the Lord’s ability to save us and change us through faith in Jesus Christ. 

So we don’t know when Christ will return or when we will die, but we should take what’s left of our lives to live according to His ways, to share the gospel of Jesus Christ, and to encourage and love those we encounter until we see God face to face.  

I invite all to mt4chritst.org where I always share insights from prominent Christian counselors to assist my brothers and sisters in Christ with their walk. 

 

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:

H. How to Apply the Quick Answer to Anger

Members of a First Response Team know the importance of having a "quick answer." In the face of calamity, firefighters must provide a quick response but remain cool under pressure.

When you sense a surge of anger, it's vital that you learn to respond quickly. If not, your anger could blaze out of control.

The possibility of out-of-control anger remains ever present. A spark of irritation can be ignited intentionally by hurtful people or even unintentionally by those who love you. God wants you to seek His answer for anger quickly before it burns the bridges of your relationships because...

"A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." (Proverbs 15:1)

The Quick Answer to Anger

If I had to boil down all efforts to manage anger to the most basic steps, I believe I could reduce the solution to two points: one question and one action step.

Step 1. Ask... Can I change this situation?

Step 2. Action... If you can, change it. If you can't, release it.

Let's go back to the first step: Can you change what angers you? Answer yes or no—that's it.

Now consider the second step: If you answered yes, you are angry about something you can change—so change it.

If the door squeaks, oil it.

If the faucet leaks, fix it.

If you answered no, you are angry about something you cannot change—so release it.

If your house burns down, release it (the fear).

If your loved one dies, release it (the hurt).

If your house does burn down, only as you emotionally release the pain of your loss can you rebuild your life... and possibly your home. Being angry because of a burned house or the death of someone dear will not change the situation. It will only make matters worse.

How do you release your anger? First, list what angers you—every person... every situation. Then, go to God in all humility, refusing to demand your rights, rejecting any thought of revenge, and surrendering the situation and yourself to the Lord—past, present, and future. Although you may feel completely powerless, in reality you have the power to release your pain and anger to Him.

The "Releasing Your Anger" Prayer

"Lord Jesus, thank You for loving me. Thank You for caring about me.

Since You know everything, you know the strong sense of (hurt, injustice, fear, and/or frustration)

I have felt about (name or situation). Thank You for understanding my anger.

Right now, I release all of my anger to You. I trust You with my future and with me.

In Christ's name I pray. Amen."

"Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." (1 Peter 5:7)


Biblical Counseling Keys - Biblical Counseling Keys – Biblical Counseling Keys: Anger: Facing the Fire Within.

----------------------------more tomorrow-------------------------

 

God bless you all!

 

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