Today’s sermon was titled, “Please Go to Bed Angry.”
What??? We all know what the Bible tells us:
So how could our pastor, Mary Grace Reynolds tell us to go to bed angry?
What a weird twist on a well-known scripture, huh?
What was the point she was making?
Here are the notes I took as I listened to today’s sermon:
Sit with yourself in silence
Long enough to feel the anger
That’s hidden inside of you.
If you’re not angry,
You’re not really livin’ –
Anger is a quiet, deep given.
Anger leads to rage and hatred.
Anger leads to destruction –
And we might not know it’s there.
I’m angry, and I name it.
I see it; I control it.
Paul tells us, “Walk away!”
Don’t let your anger lead you to sin.
Some people hurt us intentionally
And the gospel says, “Walk away!”
But there are people in our lives
Who need to be there –
And we may find some of them “angry.”
What do we do with anger?
Acknowledge it, define it, use it.
Let it build for the common good.
When I “feel” anger,
It doesn’t have to define me.
Sleep on that anger and address it.
Weather the conflict and
Don’t let it divide us.
Initiate the pain confrontation.
Managing anger demands strength
And a clearness of mind.
Let it be the light illuminating
a better way forward.
Amen?
Anger is like boiling water inside you.
It bubbles up and alerts you
To the need to get it up and out.
Righteous anger is addressed
In the Bible very clearly when
Jesus overturned the tables.
The money changers were
Ripping off the worshipers.
Jesus would have none of that!
John 2:15 15 So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. Matthew 21:12 12 Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. Mark 11:15 15 On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves…
If Jesus had slept on that anger,
Might he have responded differently?
I doubt it. The situation was untenable!
Some actions and incidences
Deserve our righteous anger.
No need to sleep on it!
But other reasons for anger
Are not so clear cut!
Let the resolution stew a while!
After sleeping on it,
You may find there is a better solution
Than the one you thought of yesterday.
Let God speak to you.
Listen to His calming influence.
Respond biblically!
So, while we may embrace the right to be angry,
And we may feel justified exhibiting righteous anger,
The real path to a peaceful, joyful, and fulfilling life
Is the path described in Colossians 3:12. It’s my choice!
How about you?
Comments on: "Embrace Anger" (15)
Sounds like you got a gem of a pastor! Great sermon and wise words.
Great post Jan.
Yes, Dwight, a gem for sure. We are feeling blessed. Thanks for affirming 👍🏽❤️
:>)
I think I would like your pastor! Great advice and definitely a different take on anger. Thank you for sharing your pastor and experience with your readers! Our sermon today was “Joy, Comes in the Morning” Amen!
Have a joy-filled week, Charlotte. Thanks for reading and responding. Yes, I think you’d love ❤️ MGR! I do!!
🤗🥰🌻🌸🌼🤍
I be reposted this on my page! It’s a great post! Thanks for your beautiful insights! Hugs!
Thank you so much, {{{Charlotte}}} <3
All the way through this I was thinking of Jesus and the moneylenders. A perfect sermon on the subject
Yes, she didn’t mention that scripture in her sermon, but ( like you) I couldn’t help making the connection.
Look at that peaceful little rabbit! I shall take a hint from his accepting nature.
I had to reread this post a couple of times. Personally I don’t agree with going to sleep “angry” but I do agree with these statements “Let the resolution stew a while! After sleeping on it, you may find there is a better solution than the one you thought of yesterday.” Find peace of mind! Yes! Most definitely allow your mind to find the peace it needs to rest and think more clearly at a later time. I cannot sleep if my mind is preoccupied with something that has upset me. And when/if I do finally fall asleep I toss and turn and wake up in worse shape than I started. I definitely agree it sounded like a great sermon and you are truly blessed to have such a wonderful pastor!
Than you for taking time to digest it, Laina. Yes, it was a different take on a subject that requires a lot of thought and prayer. And yes, I am feeling blessed to have Mary Grace with us. <3
Finding this post reinforces a recent evening devotional which Colleen and I shared with a similar theme. Scripture focused on Psalm 37, especially the 8th verse: “Don’t get angry. Don’t be upset; it only leads to trouble.” There is strength in your pastor’s message because we all have to deal with anger, whether we are wearing it on our sleeve or hiding it deep inside our soul.
Ah, so true! Thank you for your sharing, {{{Richard}}}.