Rev. Gary R. Pomrenke
“When Anger Interrupts Our Peace”
There are days that you serve a congregation or a community and their negativity or anger affects you more than they should. We then let our anger take the peace that we have found in our Savior’s presence. It is during these challenging times that we must step back and be consoled and find peace in the ultimate comforter.
We are reminded in James 1:19-20 (ESV): “19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” What a reminder to us as we serve the at-large community of Christ. We are seeking peace in Christ, and sometimes “that person” in our lives steals our joy and we let our anger take root and occupy the place where Christ’s peace once dwelled. This is where we need to step back and recognize the anger for what it is … sin. We must do what Jesus modeled for us. We need to remove ourselves from the busyness that sometimes overwhelms us and be alone with our Savior. Beloved … He hears us, He feels our hearts… and He surely sees our anger. It is during these times that we must retreat from the situation that is angering us in order to restore the peace that we have in Christ.
In monitoring our wellness, we must take an honest look at what is pulling us from the cross of Christ. We must be willing to look into our own hearts and allow the Holy Spirit to cultivate the needed changes in our behavior to help us un-harden our hearts. Take your needed rest and time in prayer so sinful behaviors can be held at bay and others can still see the love of Christ in your words and actions.
In His Service,
Rev. Gary R. Pomrenke