Friday, March 21, 2014

By: Rachelle Hitt Bilbo

When the Sun Comes Up

Ephesians 4:26 And "don't sin by letting anger control you." Don't let the sun go down while you are still angry.

Two little brothers, Harry and James, had finished supper and were playing until bedtime. Somehow, Harry hit James with a stick, and tears and bitter words followed. Charges and accusations were still being exchanged as their mother prepared them for bed.

She said, "Now boys, what would happen if either of you died tonight and you never had the opportunity to forgive one another?" James spoke up, "Well, OK, I'll forgive him tonight, but if we're both alive in the morning, he'd better look out!"

Today's verse issues an important challenge... "Don't let the sun go down while you are still angry." Many individuals have offered this advice to others or have lived by this advice...maybe not even recognizing that it IS a Bible verse.

Maybe you have made a point to avoid letting the sun go down on your anger, but what happens when morning comes? The brother in the above illustration committed to forgive that night but had already planned to pick up where they left off tomorrow.

Often our forgiveness is short-lived as we begin to rehearse and rehash the incident in the days to come. You will never be able to successfully forgive if you continue to refuel the fire.

I challenge you today that when you forgive...put it to rest for good. Don't replay it in your mind when the sun comes up. Let it go. Do it for your own sanity and salvation. Often forgiveness does not even affect the others involved...it only affects the one who can't forgive.

Dear Lord, Help me to forgive others as You have so freely forgiven me.

I thank You, my Jesus, for dying for me. I believe that You are Lord and that God raised You from the grave so that I can have eternal life.

Reflection: Have you said that you have forgiven someone but have still held on to the hurt and anger?