Brains.....They're Actually Useful!

And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.

Ephesians 4:26-27

Remember Paul and Barnabas?  They spent years traveling together taking the Gospel message of Christ to places who had never heard such news before.  Barnabas was the one who actually got Paul and the Disciples in the same place to talk, because Paul, after all, had been Saul and had been going about the countryside terrorizing and punishing Christians.  And after years on the road together, Paul and Barnabas had a rather strong disagreement (Acts 15:39).

Paul was like a snapping turtle in the regard that once he set his mind to something, nothing was going to stop him.  He was, how can I say this politely, STUBBORN and hard-headed.  Which might explain why God chose to blind Saul in order to get his attention and turn him into Paul.

Have you ever been so angry with someone that you couldn't think of anything else?  Couldn't enjoy any activities?  Turned your whole mood to that of a rabid badger in a bad mood without coffee?  So angry that you couldn't sleep which made things worse the next morning because you were still ticked off AND now you're extra irritated because you're tired.  I have.  And there was not enough coffee in the world to make it any better.

Notice that Paul reminds us to not let our anger control us.  Anger, in and of itself, is not wrong.  BUT when we choose to hang on to the anger....that is when we get into trouble.  

Try this: next time you get angry, pick up a rock and squeeze it as hard as you can.  Eventually, you will get tired of squeezing and let it go.  

We can do the same thing with our anger.  Squeeze it....look at it from every perspective.....and then ask yourself, "Is my getting angry REALLY going to resolve this issue?"  You see, anger is a reflexive reaction and is an easier response.  A proactive action would be to see a situation, accept that we don't agree with it, and make a plan to find a peaceful resolution, which makes it unpopular because we have to actually think.

Remember, God gave us brains to actually use for something other than a way to keep our ears apart!  

Creation's Song

Let the heavens praise your wonders, O Lord,
    your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones!
For who in the skies can be compared to the Lord?
    Who among the heavenly beings is like the Lord,
a God greatly to be feared in the council of the holy ones,
    and awesome above all who are around him?
O Lord God of hosts,
    who is mighty as you are, O Lord,
    with your faithfulness all around you?

~Psalm 89:5-8

I don't know about you, but I'm one of those people who do a LOT of wondering.  I wonder about things like: 

• "Why did God create salt water AND fresh water instead of just making all aquatic critters use the same water?"
• "Why did God make lobsters so ugly but taste so good?"
• "Why are dogs usually affectionate, while usually aloof?"
• "Why don't cows have thumbs?"

Over the last few days, I have done a lot of wondering.  Remember when God told Job to put on his big boy britches because God had some questions for him and he WOULD answer them?  You can find the discussion in Job 38.  But God asked Job, "WHO told the sea 'You can come this far and no farther?' Who put the leviathan in its cage? Who put the stars in the sky? Who told the mountains how high to climb?"  You see, God was reminding Job (and us) that all of creation is God's handiwork.  We can believe that WE are the ones in control of God's creation and God will show us who really is God.

Most mornings, I have a cup of coffee (or more....stop laughing) and watch the sunlight come through the trees, listen to the birds start their songs, watch Abby (our greyhound) stand on our deck and survey her kingdom, and know that all of creation is celebrating God, and so should I.

From time before time until the end of all time, let us praise God for His blessings, gifts, and LOVE for us.  It makes the day a LOT better!