Daily Devotional: Wednesday, Oct 21

Speaker: Jeremy Johnson

Theme: Taming the Tantrum Within You

Weekend Music links on iTunes: All the Earth Will Sing Your Praises by Paul Baloche; Sing, Sing, Sing by Chris Tomlin; Love Came Down by Ben Cantelon; You Saw Me by Hillsong.

Read:  Esther 2:20-3:6

Proverbs Challenge Chapter of the Day: Proverbs 16

Think:  Our weekend speaker, Jeremy Johnson, shared the idea that most anger is displaced and righteous anger is rare. This brings us to step #3 in honoring God with our anger----define it.  Very often the event that launches our anger has been preceded by a series of irritations. It is wrong to believe a person, circumstance or condition makes us angry... each of us becomes angry by choice.

In today's reading from Esther, the main character Haman has a serious anger management problem.  He was elevated to a position of honor higher than all the other political figures.  Haman must have been quite proud to have the King declare that all the other nobles must kneel before him. Yet one man, Mordecai, chose not to bow (out of reverence to God) and Haman went ballistic. The Bible says he was enraged at not being honored (kneeling would most likely be a sign of worship). Then he scorned the idea that only this one man be punished. He declared that all of Mordecai's people (the Jews) be destroyed. Those are vindictive actions spoken from a very, very angry man.  

Why didn't Haman just admit he had a problem with Mordecai and go work it out? Same reason we don't.  It is easier to go tell someone else about our problem, to seek the sympathy and support of others, keep the irritation raw as we caress the perceived injury all the while desiring unpleasant things to happen to the object of our anger. Out of control, the issue will grow and involve others to become a much different situation than originally experienced.

When we stop to define our anger, it gives us time to dissipate our desire to build resentment and hate.  We can learn to discipline ourselves to not react, but rather to acknowledge, delay and define the source of our anger. Then we can allow God to direct our actions, rather than any out of control emotions.

I will close with a proverb from today's reading, "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall." If you read on in the book of Esther you will see how these wise words are played out in the life of Haman. 

Do: God is a great teacher.  He wants us to succeed in life.  He cares that we treat one another with respect and kindness.  He works out his will in us.  Today "commit to the Lord whatever you do..."

Pray:  Dear Heavenly Father, as the words in Proverbs 16: 21 say, "The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant words promote instruction. " Lord, make me wise in heart that I may speak with pleasant words and introduce others to you.  Amen.

The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church.

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