the Lord in the Psalms validates every human emotion, though many require His redemption before they are pure. when something is wrong in the world, we get frustrated, judgmental, angry, even to the point of rage. The wrath of God towards sin is an inescapable part of His nature we like to ignore, but His goodness and justice demand it. The question we should be asking is not always then how to fight and suppress these emotions, but what is God's redeemed purpose for them.
I heard a speaker the other night say that the question that changed her life was simply, "God, what do you think about this (situation, person, place)?" We never stop to ask that question because we assume we already know or think we know better already - I am especially inclined towards the latter.
So here's an example: I have a friend who is not living how I think he should live, and bitterness and frustration come in my heart over the way I see that his life could be better. The principle we are getting at is expressed our favorite Christian cliche, WWJD - What Would Jesus Do? Or better yet, let's ask, "what did Jesus do?" He made himself low, that we could be raised up. He turned His anger towards the situation into love that was willing to sacrifice to transform. His righteous anger was a reflection of God's wrath, but what does God do with it? He uses it towards love. So what if God's people took all the frustration, anger, wrath, and judgment they feel - while recognizing there probably is truth and the very reflection of God behind every one of those emotions - and like God directed every emotion towards the action of love?
Life just seems easier when I'm not trying to control my emotions, but rather letting the Lord redeem them towards committed action of loving my neighbor. Your thoughts?
No comments:
Post a Comment