Recently I watched as someone reacted to a frustrating situation. As long as we live, we will all have things that bring us distress. However, it is not those things that will hinder our joy or blessings in life, it is our reaction to them.
This person’s anger to the situation puzzled me as I didn’t feel it was as bad as all that, therefore I began to pray and ask God to show me why they reacted this way and how to pray for them. God was faithful to answer my prayer. Here is what He said to me, “Things they cannot control, make them angry, anger is their go to reaction.” “Where does this come from?” I questioned.
What’s the Root?
You see, there is always a root cause. And we must be diligent to get to the root in our prayers.
The Lord went on to tell me that this issue of being angry at what couldn’t be controlled was born at a time in their life when they could not control what was happening to them or around them. This made perfect sense to me. I had just walked through a year of things I could not control.
2022 was a hard year for me. It started out hard and seemed to stay that way all year. I pressed through, knowing God was with me and would teach me things if I could keep my eyes on Him. There is one vital thing I learned during that year. We cannot allow the things we can’t control to control us.
These things we can’t control will, without question, have one of two effects. They either make us angry or they stress us and cause us to worry constantly. Neither of these things are good. First, they are not God’s way or biblically correct. Secondly, they will affect our bodies in damaging ways. If we constantly react with anger or stress, our bodies will reap the fruit of those reactions.
Proverbs 3:5 says, Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding.
The Amplified Bible says it like this; Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.
Matthew 6:34 says, Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
My friends, things happen on a weekly basis that we cannot control. It is in those times we must fully trust God. I am not saying I have arrived at this place of total trust, but I am saying I am much closer than I was last year.
My question to you today is, “How do the things you can’t control affect you – what is your reaction to them? Is it anger?”
For the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. James 1:20
Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the heart of fools. Eccl. 7:9
A man of quick temper acts foolishly. Prov 14:17
Refrain from anger and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil. Psalm 37:8
Or do you react in worry and stress?
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:6-7
Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad. Prov 12:25
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27
And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? Matthew 6:27
Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7
Stop allowing the things you can’t control, to control you. Do not allow these things to dictate your reaction. Instead, cast all these cares on God, knowing He loves you and allow Him to work it out. Remember, He will work all things for your good – if you allow Him to. However, if you choose anger or worry – you will reap the fruit of your choices. Today, choose life. Choose God’s way. Spend your time and energy changing your attitude toward the things you can’t control and thereby produce good fruit.
