No Mad!
Just a quick note about the study on ANGER:
Deut. 30:19 reads: “Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!
When I read that verse, my first reaction is to think that I've blown it! That I chose death, not life, all those years ago and so death is what "all heaven witnessed" me choose and I forever blew it. And, my life is messed up as well as my kids lives because that detrimental choice for death. But God's Word is alive and as a Christian, God's Holy Spirit lives in me and teaches me: as I read that verse today, my focus lands on the very first word; Today. Hope springs up in me, as I realize today I have the choice again, and Heaven and earth ARE watching again...and actually pulling for me ("oh that you would choose life"), begging me actually to chose life today! This day, life again, can be chosen and I and my descendants can live! And my choice again will affect my life and the lives of those I love! So today how do I choose life?
I can choose to speak the truth. I can recognize anger in me and ask God for help. I can embrace the gifts given me today: friends, a job, children, this Bible study.... and start with gratitude for it all. I can allow all "bitterness (holding on to anger), wrath (my right to get even), and clamor (the confusion that anger brings) to be put away from me.
The "I" in these sentences answering the question of "How", shows me again that I get to choose! I have, we have, another chance to choose. Let's recognize, that in coming to the first class, then back again to share our stories, then looking at truth and now risking feeling anger and giving it to God to deal with, and learning what He will teach us are all choices for LIFE!
OK...Let's work through it, getting rid of the "unwholesome" (rotten) stuff inside and take back any opportunity we may have given the devil to launch attacks into our lives and relationships!
Something inside us calls for justice (that belongs to the Lord) and something inside us cries for reconciliation. We'll get there; together!
Comments (7)
Alyssa Shutty:
Oct 19, 2012 at 09:45 AM
Thank you Tricia! I love the practical way to walk out "choosing life, not death" in every day life!
Maria~:
Oct 19, 2012 at 09:53 AM
Thank you and how appropriate, since that is the Chapter we just finished last night!!! What a journey up this mountain as we connect to help pull one another up!!!
Blessings and LIFE!!!!
Mariaz
Linda Abercrombie:
Oct 22, 2012 at 09:47 AM
Wow. Exactly. Exactly where I was. I can remember reading that portion of Deuteronomy and feeling like I had blown it so many years ago and I no longer had the choice to "choose life!" I can remember thinking that anyone who "knows about my past choice" would consider me a hypocrite if I chose to stand for life TODAY! My, how the deceiver works and robs us from all joy that Christ has set before us each and every day. No more. Simply put - NO MORE.
I can't wait to see how God moves on our behalf. As we courageously move in His direction - choosing life TODAY will matter. ... and it does matter ... and it will continue to matter as women all over the world are set free from the bondage of past mistakes. TODAY - choose LIFE TODAY!
Thanks, Tricia! You've brought this gentle reminder that God is still moving. That His word is still living and active! ... and alive in you and me :D
Pat Layton:
Oct 22, 2012 at 02:24 PM
Tricia, this is so good and so important. We girls are trained NOT to be MAD :) Thank you for letting us see the difference and the value of this process!
Hugs!
Pat
Judy Tokar:
Oct 25, 2012 at 08:43 AM
Words that I can pass on to my precious lady starting the study tonight. You are an encourager for me. Bless You Sister.
Judy Tokar:
Oct 25, 2012 at 08:48 AM
Words that I can pass on to my precious lady starting the study tonight. You are an encourager for me. Bless You Sister.
Carol Weaver:
Oct 31, 2012 at 03:18 PM
Tricia, what a beautiful insight the Holy Spirit gave you. The devil wants to condemn us any way He can, even by throwing the Book at us. Of course he misuses it. You, on the other hand, embraced the life-giving revelation sent to you TODAY. I can't wait to share this with the three precious women next week when we reach the anger lesson. Today i choose life too. Thanks, dear Friend.
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