You lost it again.
Whether you actually raised your voice or not, the damage is done.
You slipped the reins of self-control and your bad attitude reared its ugly head.
Like a wild stallion your piercing eyes, sharp tongue, body language broke their constraints and led the stampede of destructive words.
Hopefully, realization dawns quickly.
You feel guilty. You do your best to bring healing by confessing and asking forgiveness. It’s granted and life settles back into its routine.
But there’s a silent ache that’s impossible to ignore.
God, I’m grateful that You grant me peace instead of wrath by accepting Christ’s sinless record as my ransom. I want to express my love and gratitude by serving You with my whole life, but I keep messing up. I guess I’m pretty much useless to You.
The four Ds set in: disappointment, discouragement, dejection, despair.
Peace seems non-existent as you try to hog-tie frustration and the rest of the herd.
Thankfully God speaks to this dilemma through the life of a fellow sufferer.
“The Spirit then lifted me up and took me away, and I went in bitterness and in the anger of my spirit, with the strong hand of the LORD upon me. I came to the exiles who lived at Tel Abib near the Kebar River. And there, where they were living, I sat among them for seven days – overwhelmed. At the end of seven days the word of the LORD came to me; ‘Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me.'” Ezekiel 3:14-16 NIV1984
It’s time to perk up.
The record shows Holy Spirit uplifts even a person with bitterness and anger. Not only does the LORD hold him in His strong hand. He takes him to a place where he can rest … for seven whole days.
Since the number seven usually means completeness, that probably means the right amount of time for a complete recovery.
Can you imagine resting in a special place chosen for you by God until your balance is restored?
Yeah, I’d be overwhelmed too.
And that’s not all.
After the LORD provided Ezekiel with a break from his struggle with bitterness and anger, He entrusted him with the role of Old Testament Prophet.
How cool is that?
It’s proof positive that God does not discard those of us who allow our emotions to run away with us like the proverbial team of wild horses dragging a buckboard into ditch.
Instead God rescues us more thoroughly than a cowboy in a white hat and sets us back on the trail ride of service.
That’s how God cares for His own. That’s who God is.
How about you? Are you range weary?
Are you ready to harness those unbridled emotions?
The LORD is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
All you have to do is let Him know you’re ready.
He’s waiting to whisk you away as surely as Ezekiel.
I’m praying for you. Let me know how God answers.
Have you found this post encouraging?
If so, please share it with your friends. Thank you.
Drew me in! Love it!