Not Taken Down!

When I wrestled in school, besides trying to remain on the offensive by continually moving and keeping the opponent off balance, there was also the need to give NO OPPORTUNITY for the opponent to gain control. Keeping elbows in and having arms positioned to protect the legs while keeping a steady stance was the best way to guard against being taken down as the match began.

Life provides occasions to be faced with many types of opponents. Some of those opponents are trickier than others and we best remain on guard. In Paul’s letter to the church at Ephesus, he noted an opponent we must closely guard against allowing to gain any control over our life.

We read…
“(26) Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, (27) and GIVE NO OPPORTUNITY TO THE DEVIL.” ( Ephesians 4:26-27 ESV)

Anger itself is not sin. However, what we do with it or how we allow it to impact our life must be given serious consideration. Letting anger go unresolved -- to put it in wrestling terms -- is like leaving the legs wide open to be taken down. We don’t want to allow the devil to get his hands in there. We may grapple with anger for various reasons, but the devil must be given NO OPPORTUNITY to become a contender. He needs to be kept off the mat. He must not be allowed to get his hands into the mix. Therefore, let us follow Paul’s advice and not allow the sun to go down on our anger. Give NO OPPORTUNITY for it to fester and begin to master us. After doing what we can to resolve such situations let us then learn to leave the rest in the hands of God.

Have a great day LEARNING TO GRACIOUSLY GRAPPLE WITH ANGER!
Carl

See other teEn-MAIL on Anger