Nougat 21

Recently, the news featured a real story of a man killed as a result of Road Rage. From the accounts I hear, the victim was guilty of chastising another about their driving which caused a minor accident and the offense taken at being chastised led to him being killed. Was there more to the story? Perhaps. But it is also possible that the killer was in a foul mood and turned his rage on the innocent man. In today’s Holy Nougat, we are invited to think about our own responses.

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.

Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” Ephesians‬ ‭4:31-32‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Sometimes it is involuntary. Someone did us wrong and when we thought we had let it go; life happens to them and our response tells us that it wasn’t over. Bitterness can eat at us like that. In those moments, we are blessed if we can keep it to ourselves. And far often, where there is bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words (and actions), and slander tend to congregate also. It is often the same with the others – they travel and manifest together. So whenever and wherever we find ourselves getting worked up, it may be helpful to probe which of the others are trying to lurk in our spirits, after we have returned to calmness.

Just imagine – the times when the negativity of one moment spills into another, and other persons become unwitting victims of our attitude. Unfortunately, this happens far more frequently than we might think, if we were to think about the rise in violence, sexual and other forms of abuse recently. For many of us, we seek to identify ways to combat these attitudes professionally (finding psychological or psychiatric help), medically (getting medication when it transforms to hypertension or heart disease), or ‘medicinally’ (self-help or using alcohol, tobacco, marijuana or other drugs).

Paul offers us another option. His option invites us to allow God’s very Spirit to transform us to the extent that kindness, gentleness and forgiveness comes naturally. This is possible when we yield to God’s Spirit seeking to work in us always. And I am learning constantly that that has to be ongoing process.

This week, can I urge us to intentionally engage God’s Spirit in all facets of our lives, thus reducing the potential for bitterness and its posse to overcome us? By Your grace please Lord.

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May all we seek be found in Christ