[Discoveries] 08-28-08 Anger, an opportunity ... -- Ephesians 4:26

[Inspiration in Your Inbox]

/*In your anger, do not sin ... -- Ephesians 4:26*/

(Another snapshot from four years ago ... )

"Why does Hans hate me?" my thirteen-year-old daughter cried to me about 
her eleven-year-old brother.

I don't know about you other parents, but I seem to spend an inordinate 
amount of time refereeing fights between siblings.

So I decided to make up a checklist -- things you gotta do before you 
bring your fight to Dad. Things like listen to the other person and 
restate their position and their feelings in your own words, etc.

I thought I could get away with just handing the checklist to them, but 
my daughter wisely suggested they give it a try in my presence. I'm so 
glad she did that. We started off with a round of anger -- they were so 
angry with each other. But as they started listening to each other, they 
made an amazing discovery. Underneath that anger was another feeling -- 
a tender hurting feeling. They both were hurting deeply for exactly the 
same reason.

What started out as a fight became a discovery that connected them on a 
deeper level so they could empathize with and respect one another.

Of course, we spent time connecting with the Lord on these issues and 
emotions as well. But it seemed like the main thing the Lord wanted to 
do was to teach these two something about each other.

Getting angry is always an opportunity. It can, of course, be an 
opportunity for evil. But it can also be an opportunity for God. Imagine 
the good God can do in our lives every time He gets His hands on our anger!

Be encouraged!
Dwight

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