My favourite verse...

Anger??

Last week I've just encountered an incident that left me wondering how i had reacted the way that is not usually me. I must say that I've come a long way to realise that anger really does go to one extreme if you cannot control it. Last week, i encountered an experience that has taught me love and peace.

What happen was during soccer last week, i happened to make a comment on someone in my team and he got really furious. He felt insulted on his part and on my part, i made that comment to protect a teen that has been hurt(i could have used another approach). That resulted in violent threats from him to fight with me and vulgar vocabulary being thrown at me. I was even pushed and poked in the chest a couple of times. Some others were also being dragged into the commotion. All this while, i kept my cool and refused to retaliate despite his instigation. Finally, after a long negotiation, he cooled down and i apologised to him for that silly comment. He accepted it and he left.

The next day, i woke up abruptly at 5am in the morning recollecting the post traumatic experience. It left me feeling angry and agitated about the whole incident. Negative thoughts ran through my mind as i pictured myself overpowering him with whatever unarmed combat skills that i have acquired. But God whispered into my heart, and i cried out to him. Later that morning, still feeling the soreness in my heart, i picked up my bible and began reading the daily devotions at the back of my bible. There and then God spoke to me and restored me in the following verses...

I was reminded in James 1:19-20... "My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be QUICK TO LISTEN, SLOW TO SPEAK and SLOW TO BECOME ANGRY, for man's anger does not bring about THE RIGHTEOUS LIFE THAT GOD DESIRES."

And God was quick to remind me in Romans 12:18..."If it is possible, as far as it DEPENDS ON YOU, live at peace with everyone."

Finally God gave the final punch to my restoration in Romans 14:19..."Let us therefore MAKE EVERY EFFORT to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification."

From there, I've decided that the 'person' is after all still a human loved by God, and i shouldn't judge or discriminate him for whatever he has done. Rather, i should encourage him and reach out to him, so that he would come to know Jesus, who would eventually be his guidance in life.

Isn't God good at dealing with matters of the heart? AMEN!!