Month: October 2024

Anger

Annette Coffey1 Comment

“In your anger do not sin.”: do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, …”. Ephesians 4:26

Everyone gets angry. It’s a natural response to a hurt. Oftentimes the other person does not even realize they said or did anything that hurt you. Careless words get spoken when you cannot control a situation or a reaction by another. I live in a nursing home so some people have pain and challenges they are dealing with and have no control over their reactions. Mental illness can be so cruel because the person may not even know how they are behaving or acting. Or they get angry and bitter because they are suffering with pain and discomfort. Good people work at the home where I live and they have to deal with so much . But they realize that person cannot really help their reactions. In the real world, pressures and deadlines can set people off and they blow up. A haggard mother can loose control when their child acts out. We don’t really know what sets people off because we don’t know exactly what they are dealing with. Maybe they just lost a job or a loved one died. That doesn’t justify anger but it would explain it. Some people have mental problems where they just can’t control themselves. Some people have been treated badly all their lives and so they act the same way out of habit. But if you just take a minute to think that this is one of God’s precious children and he deserves great respect and so do his children. Maybe your response will be different. This world would be a whole lot better place if we could just take a moment to think before we say or do something we will regret later. It never hurts to take a deep breath or count to ten first, whatever works because once it’s out of your mouth you can’t take it back. Have you ever had to go to someone and ask for forgiveness? It’s much easier to hold it in. You never want to hold it in your heart because it will destroy you just like a disease. The sooner you can forgive and let it go the better you will feel. So quack like a duck and let it roll off your back. God knows it will do more damage to us than to the other person so that is why he told us to forgive before you go to bed. And it will help you sleep better also.

The Banquet

Annette Coffey1 Comment

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” Psalms 23:5

Our God is surely good to us. And yes, everyone is watching. That is why we are persecuted. People are jealous and envious. If they can’t be blessed, then why should we. They don’t understand us and they think we are crazy but the proof is that we are happier and full of peace and favor. God doesn’t hide it either, he loves to show love and goodness to those that love him and are called according to his purposes. If they only knew exactly how much they are missing out on. They think they have more stuff, friends, money, or whatever but they are only living on crumbs. Drugs, alcohol,sex, and stuff can’t buy true happiness and peace. The more I learn about God’s true power and amazing miracles , that I couldn’t believe if I didn’t see it every day, the more I just want to shout, “did you see that?”. God is good to everyone because everything good comes from him , everything we could ever wish for in places and things. A breath taking sunset, or a fancy meal. Good friends and family. Think of all the good things we will one day have in heaven. Only perfect days forever more. No pain, death or sadness. Everything waiting for you to explore. God does good things for everyone but their eyes are only on the negative and they miss out because they aren’t grateful for what they do have. There is beauty and wonder around us every day but they take it for granted and don’t enjoy it. I remember a time when I thought I had to make my own good (emphasis on I) by doing what I wanted. It didn’t matter who it might affect along the way. I probably hurt other people to get what I wanted. Now I don’t have to strive or push to get my way. God’s ways are my ways and he blesses me all the time. Or maybe I’m just grateful for what I do have and I am thanking him all the time.

Praying

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“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6

Praying is one of our most valuable gifts. There is so much power in prayer. But. There are many things we need to do if we expect God to answer our prayers. He isn’t a genie that gives us everything we want. There is an exact way to ask. And he spells it out in his word so we will succeed in our asking. First he asks us to pray about everything important to us. He likes to hear them all because we can’t get answers without the asking. Then we need to ask specifically and not generally. Now that doesn’t mean we get everything we want or how we want or even when we want it. God does know what is best and he can and will do it. He also wants and deserves thanksgiving for all he has already done and continues to do. Ungrateful askers can’t expect much. Ask with boldness and knowledge that he can do anything if it is best for all parties. You may not think something is possible but it is so possible with God. Don’t underestimate him ever. Never stop asking because persistence is rewarded but sometimes the answer is no, not right now, or I have something better for you. We may not always see it as better but trust me he does. Someone we don’t want to die, but does. But maybe it is just time for them to experience heaven and all it has to offer them. God knows. He works some amazing things out in peoples lives that I’m praying for every single day. I’m amazed at some answers I could never have predicted. I see so many incredible and awesome answers and I only see a tiny bit of all God is doing. He’s working behind the scenes all the time and sometimes the enemy tries to get in the middle of it. But we need to relax and let him take control.