SPIRITUAL STUMBLING BLOCKS (Part 1 of 6)

Since moving to California, I take the freeway quite frequently. Occasionally, I witness road rage when a person gets cut off or changes lanes without signaling. People seem angry all the time and ready to blow up! Anger causes fights between spouses, estrangement among siblings or even a shoot-out on the freeway. Unresolved anger also impedes spiritual growth and intimacy with God.

The first murder recorded in the scriptures emanated from unresolved anger. Apparently Cain was unhappy with his younger brother Abel for presenting a better offering to the Lord. Cain could have brought a better offering the next time he appeared before the Lord. Instead, Cain killed his brother Abel to eliminate the competition.

Anger will lead you to speak or act in ways that hurt others or even to destroy property. Is anger stunting your spiritual growth or hindering intimacy with God? Eliminating anger brings healing to our hearts, restores intimacy with God and spurs spiritual growth.

FOR FURTHER REFLECTION

Take a few moments to read the following scriptures and reflect on them. The first two in the New Testament are commands about not entertaining anger, while the next two are an invitation for God to examine our hearts and minds to expose anger. Be honest and let God “examine” your heart, for this is where anger lives.

• GENESIS 4:1-16
• JAMES 1:19-20
• EPHESIANS 4:26-27
• PSALM 139:23-24
• JEREMIAH 17:9-10

A PRAYER FOR OVERCOMING ANGER

Dear Lord, please help me to see the anger in my life and where it comes from, whether past hurt, disappointment or struggles. Help me to forgive those who have hurt me, and to seek reconciliation with those I have hurt. May You heal me from anger and help me to live the full and abundant life that You have called me to live. I pray for all this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Steps to Salvation:

The Bible states that God loves you and cares for you as a person (John 3:16). Humankind has been separated from God by sin (Romans 3:23). God sent His Son as a provision for our salvation through the death of Jesus Christ on the cross and His resurrection from the dead (Romans 5:8). Doing good deeds is not enough (Ephesians 2:8-9), but receiving the free gift of salvation is (John 1:12).

You can invite Jesus Christ into your life right now by praying something like the following:

Dear God, I know I am a sinner. I need Your forgiveness and grace. I believe that Christ paid the penalty for my sin, and He died in my place, and He rose from the dead. I invite Jesus Christ to come into my life as Savior. Thank You for saving me from my sin and making me Your child. Help me to grow and learn how to serve You. Amen.