Ephesians 4:31-32
Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of malicious behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
As I have said before, anger has always been a battle for me. Ok, maybe I could go so far as to say rage, anger and harsh words. At least it's always been a battle with family, not really with anyone outside of that (Oh yeah, except maybe you, Andy, but hey, you're family!!). It was how we communicated in my family of origin and it was what I brought into my new family nucleus. Not so great a gift. For those of you out there who never struggle with rage, anger and harsh words, please don't judge too harshly. It's something I've longed to be free from. I long to be the picture of quiet, sweet and gentle. But alas, I don't think that will ever be the description my children will use when they grow older!
So as I'm choosing verses for us to meditate on during the day, I'm choosing verses that will be for them, teaching them how to break patterns they have learned from me. But ultimately they are for me. We have all felt a lot of growth in the last two weeks as we were meditating on James 1:19-20 "Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become anger. For your anger can never bring about the righteous life that God desires." It was so encouraging today to converse with the kids about how these have helped them stay on top of their words and anger. And I was thankful when they all said, "And we can tell it helped you too, Mom!"
Jesus, thank you for never leaving us the way we are. Thank you that even deeply ingrained patterns that are detrimental to our spirits and those around us can be rooted out and we can be transformed. Thank you that my children are seeing transformation happen in me as they will have areas in their own lives that they will need transformation in. Now they will know first hand that You will transform them if they submit to your work and words. Thank you that you have given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. He has given us his very great and precious promises so that we can escape the decadence in the world caused by evil desires and we will participate in His divine nature! (2 Peter 1:3-4)
4 comments:
amen! amen! I just rejoiced as I read your prayer thanking Jesus for transforming us! He is making everything new - I am so grateful with you to Him! Thanks for your encouraging post today! love you!
Love you, Em. Wish I could see and talk to you everyday. I LOVE both of those verses and actually have been using James 1:19-20 with our school time also (and throughout the day/week). It has been the only verse we've worked on for the last 2 weeks just because it is SO relevant to all of us. I can't count how many times we have come back to it, including myself as I feel anger, impatience and frustration growing quickly and wanting to attack my kids.
love you, love you and praying for you, my friend.
Seren
Em, I love your honesty. This is a topic we've both talked about and something I struggle with too. Thank you for sharing the little joys and things the Lord is doing in you. You're children are blessed to have such an amazing momma. They won't remember the anger when they're older. . . .they'll remember the truth you taught them, the example you lived for them and the love you shared. Good job Em!!!
I'm in tears reading this...made me cry and thank Jesus the whole time...what a living testimony you are, how beautiful is your living testimony of the outworking of the grace of God in your life..it's beautiful...
I think of Paul in 2nd Corinthians writing in chapter 3 vs 2
'You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody. 3You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.'
You are Christ's letter- the result of his ministry-reflecting to all the beautiful work of God in your life by his Spirit applying his Word.
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