“But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother
will be subject to judgment”
(Matthew 5:22)
Reflection:
Often our angry, bitter and vengeful thoughts reveal more about ourselves than the ones they are focussed upon. They may arise because we feel inadequate, insignificant and incapable in the light of what is happening to us or around us. In our minds we can strike back victoriously, and often viciously, establishing our own superiority. It does nothing to improve the situation or any of the relationships.
When we allow ourselves to be angry with someone, and to continue in that way, we damage the relationship even more, harm our relationship with ourselves and create a barrier before the Lord. There can be no proper reconciliation until our anger, or the feelings that give rise to it, have been dealt with and healing has taken place within us. We choose our reactions – and those choices need to be changed, coming instead from a place of healing.
So Jesus teaches
“You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye” (Matthew 7:5)
Paul exhorts us to aim for a different thought process,
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things” (Philippians 4:8)
Response:
Where do I feel inadequate and how does it affect my life and reactions?
Prayer:
Lord God, the unloveliness in others reacts against the unloveliness in me and causes such problems. Please bring healing to me, filling me with Your love, and enable me to respond to situations from the security of Your love and not the isolation of my own pain. Amen.
———————-
The Soaring Eagle 