There is much debate in this nation as to how words can stir up anger, hatred and strife. This is such a powerful truth. Proverbs 15:18 (AMP) says: “A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, But he who is slow to anger and patient calms disputes.” Another version (AMPC) says: “he who is slow to anger appeases contention”. When we let anger take over our mental and emotional states, it removes the logical and common sense filters that allow us to “think before speaking or acting”. We then go on a word or action tirade, and once it’s finished, the damage is done. We have probably hurt others with our words or actions, and might even have destroyed relationships. In some cases, people can lose their job, their spouse, a friend, and in some cases, even land in jail for hurting or even killing someone in a fit of rage. Ephesians 4:26 (EHV) says:“ Be angry, yet do not sin.” Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry”. It’s not a sin to be angry. What is a sin is if you allow your anger to control your actions, thoughts and decisions, thus causing you to do things that are sinful in nature. Anger can be used constructively. You can break a bad habit if you get angry enough to begin the process of breaking the habit. In many cases, people will not do anything about a problem until they have had it and they can’t take it any more. Anger is a good servant but a bad master. So instead of immediately giving in to anger, be slow to anger. Let patience have it’s work in the midst of the challenges of life. In doing so, you will be known as the person who can appease or calm potentially dangerous contentions and disputes. This way, issues will be resolved instead of relationships being destroyed. God is the God of peace, not of dissension and contention! We are His people, so let’s flow with His nature!
The pain you feel is the Master Potter at work!
Have you ever worked with clay? I remember something called “silly putty.” I used to play with this putty. I enjoyed making little sculptures of mini-people and cars. Sometimes I used to press the putty against a picture in the newspaper, and the picture would transfer onto the putty. I thought that was very cool at the time. Do you know that you are clay in the hands of All-Mighty God? God has been molding you into a work of art. Ephesians 2:10 (AMP) says: “For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us].” Sometimes you might feel the potter dismantling you and breaking you apart. Don’t worry! He is not attempting to destroy you. He sees an imperfection, so He is removing that from you. It’s all part of the process of being in the hands of the Master Potter. You’ll be amazed at the finished product. You are still in process, so you will feel pain from time to time as He chips away at the unfinished product. Remember, every work of art is an original and took time to create, but once it’s finished, people will view it and praise the creator. And that is what will happen with you. People will look at you in the coming days and say: Wow, praise God for the marvelous work that He has done in you. Your life and testimony will point people to the one that saved and delivered you from the power of darkness. So yes, we are the clay, and our loving Heavenly Father is the Potter, and He has created you to be a fabulous work of art! Selah!
Isaiah 64:8 “But now, O Lord, You are our Father; We are the clay, and You our potter; And all we are the work of Your hand.”
