Why Are We So Angry?

Have you noticed how angry so many people in the world seem to be? They are angry with themselves, with their jobs, with their governments, with other people, with stores, with products with life, with their surroundings, in short nearly everything.

According to the Gallup Global Emotions Report, anger around the world has been rising since 2016, with 23% of respondents now feeling angry on any given day. That's about 2 billion people being angry every day. Wow!

What makes people angry though?

Harvard Health says one of the main reasons is a sense of powerlessness. But a kind of overarching reason maybe the difference between what we expect and what we get in life. This is not to say one can't have dreams to work towards, dreams are goals, not expectations. Problem is the outcome of anger only leads to more trouble and holding it in causes health problems.

So what do we do? Let's see what the Bible says . The Bible showcases expectations not just as the anticipation of an outcome, but primarily as faith and trust in God’s plan, timing, and promise. See the difference? The Bible does not treat expectations as mere anticipatory behavior or wishful thinking. Instead, it ties them intimately to faith and trust in God’s timing and provision. Reading Gods word can bring peace, which is an antidote to the poison of anger.

While we do that, it maybe a good idea to do and remember the following -

1. Review and Change expectations - Review our own expectations to be in line with our own situation and reality.

2. Hope more. expect less. - a key message of the Bible is hope through faith. Job is a perfect example.

3. Build Dependence on God, not man - including yourself. Avoiding the usual and very common advice that God loves you; know that God does not hate you. Always remember that because that's the beginning of trust which is the very basis of dependence.

Psalms 91:4 says, He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. But He can do that only when we want to be covered. Remember, He gave us the power of free choice?

4. Expect the unexpected. That is the beauty of dependence on God. Borrowing from Isiaah, Gods ways and thoughts for us are way higher than our own thoughts and dreams for ourselves, as are our ways. So, when God delivers on hopes, according to His will and purpose, believe that it will be much different and much better than we had ever thought.

While life is what it is, we do have a fallback, and that is Jesus and God. 

Philippians 4:6-7 advises: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus". The Bible also says - "Cast your cares on the LORD and He will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken" (Psalm 55:22)

When we let go and cast our burden onto someone else who is stronger and mightier, we find peace, and when we find peace, we also let go of anger and disappointment. 

So, we must hold dearly to the truth and knowledge that we have been given about ..."him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us".

So, we need to remember all the time that God does not hate us. He cares for us, whether we know it or not. In the words of Ana Wilis, a cancer survivor, 
"Your problem is not too big for a God that is all powerful! El Shaddai is He. In Hebrew El Shaddai literally means God that is enough, sufficient… and is He not? YES, He is!
He is more than enough to meet ALL my and your needs".

So, Trust, Cast and lie back in peace. We have nothing to lose and everything to gain. 

Our Addictions

                                 
Addiction is so prevalent in the world today that it encompasses nearly a quarter of the world. And if we add food addiction that figure would probably be three fourths. Food addiction will probably include you and me.

Addicts of all kinds are looked down on, sometimes with sympathy and sometimes with disgust. Seldom with empathy. Addicts need to be treated not with sympathy or disgust but with kindness and support.

Pastor David Jacobs says -

"No matter where you are from, if you are old enough, you have been exposed to some form of addiction. Whether you have battled addiction yourself as I have or you have seen it grip somebody that you know, the depths of addiction and the hold that it can have on people is terrifying. Knowing all that we do about addiction and the harms that it brings, how are we not more wary of it? How do we not do more to resist its temptations? The enemy is stronger than we imagine, prowling like a lion on helpless prey. This is true if and only if we remove the valuable defenses and ignore the lessons of people before us and of God.

I have struggled mightily with my own addictions. During my darkest times, it was so easy for me to point a finger at something or someone else to blame them for my actions. I was weak, ignoring the roars of the devil, making myself as easy a target as possible. If you are like me, do not give up! We have armor! It is a gift forged by the word of our Heavenly Father, delivered to us by his only son Jesus of Nazareth! It is an armor of the righteous, defending against addiction, evil, and weakness! In the darkest times when we can hear the deafening roar of the devil, we must turn to the teachings of God, and in this our hearts will be fortified".

At the end of the day, addictions can only be battled by the individual, by practicing self control, and self control can be strengthened by God's love and His word. Others can help, support and encourage, but the strength has to come from within. 

God teaches you to resist worldly passions and anything which is not godly, including alcohol addiction, food addiction, drug addiction etc. It also inspires you to maintain self-control and good morals and to build a closer relationship with God.

“It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.”
 

Heal and Restore

"We live in a broken world". 

These are words which we often read or hear and which reflect the fact that a majority of humans are either disappointed in life or broken hearted or simply down and out. They do not experience peace And that is exactly what Christians are mandated to do. Not condemn but to heal and restore. As Jasmin Patterson says we need to stop acting like critics and start acting like intercessors.

In fact, It is our bounden duty towards fellow humans, mandated by God and enabled by Jesus Christ. Gods restoring power is one of the greatest promises from Scripture and something we can carry to everyone.

Ms Patterson also refers to Ezekial story. How we can partner with God to heal the broken. Do our part to sow seeds of life, hope and transformation however we can with our resources, relationships and sphere of influence.

Like Sarah, if God has made us laugh, we need to make people around us laugh too.

And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me. — Genesis 21:6

Similarly if we are healed, we can bring healing. We can be thier change through prayer and support.

Often we look at needs and say “someone should do something about that. Well today you and I can do something: pray. Interceded. And if there is something more we are enabled to do then do it.

In a classic western movie, I remember a dialogue by a cowboy, "if you want to shoot then shoot. Don't talk." So, if we want to do something about the problems and brokenness of this world then do it. Let's not simply talk.

Never Abandoned

Rabindranath Tagore, an Indian poet, writer and composer of the Indian National Anthem said -
"Every child comes with the message that God is not yet discouraged of man"

It is inevitable that at some point in our life we face being left alone. By parents, by a spouse, friends and family. The reasons could be one of many - most common being death. As an adult, the pain and sense of abandonment can be overwhelming as can be insecurity and hopelessness. 

Yet two things come to mind in such a situation. Two verses which can rebuild hope and life.

John 15:16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.

King James Version

And then you have Isiaah 40:31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

These two verses give me hope that we are never abandoned. The first verse tells me that God chose me and if He chose me, He will never abandon me. God is not illogical. He made me intricately, scientifically, in a way we are still trying to understand. He took great pains to create me to fulfil a purpose or plan. Therefore, He will make sure that He takes care of me, using whatever means or whichever people.

These verses give a lot of hope, confidence and security provided that we fulfil a condition in the second verse - "waiting on the Lord". Essentially it means that we Acknowledge God's sovereign control of all things, come to terms with our dependence upon God and Seek spiritual strength from the Him.

Because of the first quoted verse, we know that God delights in each one of us, whatever we do or say. Jesus is not only our hope, but He is also God's hope, that through Him, we find our way back to Him and live under His shadow. Our trials are the road back to Him not to abandonment.

Today, if you are facing some loss, rejection and going through a sense of abandonment, pick up the Word and get to know who you are and who is your father in heaven. A quick reminder is this verse in Isiaah 41:10

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand".

Setting Boundaries

                                                

*Image taken from Wikipedia

Adapted from the KJV devotional.

"But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you"; Matthew 5:44 KJV

Easier said than done! What does it take to forgive someone and love them despite of what they have done to us?

"When Jesus says to love your enemies, does that mean allowing them to continually abuse you, maltreat you, or claim access to your life? Jesus Christ specifically gave us healthy tips on how to show God’s agape love to our enemies: to speak blessing upon them when they curse us, to pray for them that use us and persecute us, and to do a good thing for them when they are in need, even if they hate us.

We can powerfully show God’s love with healthy boundaries toward our enemies. Loving them doesn’t mean allowing them to step all over us or abuse us. (But it also means we do not retaliate)."

Sometimes saying “no” and setting boundaries is a struggle because we feel guilty of being unloving towards others. But boundaries often equal agape love and we must find the courage to set such boundaries. Agape also sets up a boundary to their negativity to us and opens a channel of our love to them. Thats the only way one can overlook hurt or insults thrown at us and continue to love.

"But, when your enemy is in need, don’t hesitate to offer help. When your enemy is troubled, offer a prayer and sympathize with their pain. And continue to speak good things about them even if they curse you and say all kinds of negative things. By doing this, it shows that you are truly God’s child! Let God’s agape love saturate you today!"

"Prayer point: Lord Jesus, thank You for showing me how to love. Thank You for Your words that have so much wisdom in application. As I grow to walk in God’s agape love, especially for my enemies, may my life bring You glory and honor. In Jesus’ name. Amen".

When You Pray: Pastor Rajiv's Mid Week Message

 

When Life Becomes Unbearable

There are very many people in this world who may have or may be going through situations which create extreme hopelessness and helplessness, and life becomes unbearable. It may be a burden of debt, or personal circumstances, death of a loved one, joblessness, poverty, injustice, sickness and so on. Such burdens can become overwhelming, and Many have taken their own lives, many have thought of it, many have attempted it. Sleep, if it comes becomes the only rest. Some turn to drugs. Some to alcohol. Some to God.

This is nothing new. Fear made the prophet Elijah request God that he might die (1 Kings 19:3-4). Jonah’s anger and dissatisfaction brought him to ask God to take his life (Jonah 4:3). Job was so tormented that he loathed his life and was bitter to the point that he wished he had never been born at all (Job 10:1, 18-22).

In one's lifetime, there is a high probability that one will face such a phase. We are not going to question why God allowed it. The question rather is: what will you do?

Most people may search the internet, least likely to get the answer. This post itself will not, cannot, provide the answer. But one can come to some positive self thoughts which may help. We can ask ourselves - 

1. Is my situation self resolving? The human heart and mind themselves are self-resolving. As each day passes the pain becomes lesser. But only because we get the strength to bear it, and that strength comes from God.

2. Will God make it go away? No. God will not suddenly foreclose your loan. He will not magically make a sickness disappear. Will He suddenly send us a man with a job offer? No. God never promised a rose garden. But God will provide hope, direction and strength.

3. How have I survived life till now? What is my history? When all is lost, that is a good time to think about the blessings of the past. Specially, blessings which were inexplicable. Not only do those memories bring a smile, but they also refurbish our faith as we realize that they all came from God. And if God has been there all along, blessing us, guiding us, nudging, we once again believe He is there still, no matter what we may be going through. Think about that old Sunday school song - Count your blessings. There is truth and wisdom in that song.

Finally, we all have a question in such times: why me? That is best answered by Christ Himself -

“As he was passing by, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him: "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind? ““Neither this man nor his parents sinned," Jesus answered. "This came about so that God's works might be displayed in him.” (John 9:1-3 CSB)

Basically, what He is saying is that our affliction is an opportunity to showcase God in our life. The grace of a widowed person, the attitude of a ruined person, in every situation our reactions can be either worldly or Godly. We have free choice, so it's upto us what we want to show the world.