If we feel that the lid is about to blow off of a friendship, a dating relationship, or marriage, putting “the squeeze” on others or cutting them off and punishing them to keep your name and ego intact aren’t going to be productive benefits.

It also sets you up to be mesmerized and lured into the deception of thinking that you have a higher “knowing” than those you are angry with and then feel that you have the “right” to control things.

Be Careful Friend. Oh so smart, gifted and beautiful Lucifer thought he was like the all knowing ONE and got demoted and removed.

The New Testament speaks about a great and balanced approach to relationships: “Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too” (Philippians 2:4).

We’re talking mutual consideration. Without it, relationships often become one-sided and oppressive. Bossy, arrogant, dismissive and pouty.

No one MAKES us angry. Anger is our own emotional response to some action or event.

More often than not, our angry feelings are based on a misinterpretation of what someone said or did or on our own exaggerated sense of pride.

Angry words and actions rapidly churn up hostility and block communication rather than solving problems.

Whether it’s between parent and child, spouses, siblings, friends, or nations, expressions of anger divide us and drive us toward open hostility and dangerous behaviors.

It’s all too easy to react to life’s annoyances and disappointments with anger. It’s much more challenging, but so much better, to react with understanding and empathy.

This way, we can quickly settle disagreements and avoid turning minor incidents into major battles and dismissive “know-it-allism”.

Of course, if any relationship that you are involved in has addictions or abuse involved, wisdom says to get counsel, step into a safe environment away from the drama and harm, and work on your part of the dysfunctional situation.

“You MUST understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; for your anger does not produce God’s righteousness,” James 1:19-20.

Are you hanging on to something other than the Lord? Are you gripping some form of earthly security or title or gifting instead of trusting Him to help you?

Remember, whatever you hold too tightly, you will lose. Whatever you are clutching for safety has become an idol to you — regardless of whether it is wealth, your giftedness, education, relationships, religious rituals, whatever it is, God is not going to allow you to keep it as your source of confidence — a role that really belongs to Him.

Friend. He will allow it to fail you so you can see that He alone, truly is your sovereign and unfailing Lord.

God is the Source of every blessing: But when we treasure His gifts, more than our relationships that He has given to us to help us walk better in wisdom with Him, He sometimes has to strip away some of those benefits.

Anything you hold too tightly, you will lose.

God longs for you to release yourself into His control and eternal support. He will take care of all that concerns you in the best way possible, and He will also sustain you in the process.

“Don’t be pulled in different directions or worried about a thing. Be saturated in prayer throughout each day, offering your faith-filled requests before God with overflowing gratitude. Tell him every detail of your life,” Philippians 4:6 (Passion Translation)

 

In His Shadow,
~ Mary Lindow ^©

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” THE MESSENGER ” ~ Mary Lindow
www.marylindow.com
Global Prayer Rooms

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Mary Lindow has a passion for encouraging others – all generations, careers or vocations to live expressing excellence through personal integrity, healthy accountability, and wise management of talents and skills. She’s a sought after keynote, inspirational, humorous speaker and teacher across the USA and internationally in Ministers & Spiritual leaders Conferences, and training seminars for various organizations.

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