Sunday, March 16, 2025

Psalm 4: 4
Don’t sin by letting anger control you. Think about it overnight and remain silent.

When you're angry, do you remain silent about it?

This verse isn't telling us to stay silent and let anger build up below the surface. Storing anger creates footholds (Ephesians 4:26-27) and can lead to places where the devil, whose purpose is to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10a), can move us to places God never intended us to be.

What it's suggesting is to pause before we react to our anger. If we take a step back to think about and reflect on what is making us angry, we make room for resolutions to take shape before becoming harsh or biting. Then we can move into a rich and satisfying life, the life Jesus came for and made the ultimate sacrifice for. (John 10:10b)

Things that happen in our lives will be frustrating. If we get angry, let's remain silent until we've paused and asked God to help us see a better way to resolve it.

Discussion Questions:

Ice breaker: Share a time you were frustrated, what caused it, and how you reacted. Are you still feeling frustrated or angry about it now?

What are some ways anger builds barriers in our communities today?

Read Mark 11:15-18. In these verses, Jesus is angry. How did Jesus' action and reaction differ from that of the Pharisees?

When you think about things that make you angry, what steps can you take not to store them?

Reflect on the last time you argued with someone. Journal about it and pray about the situation. What is God saying to you, and what will you do about it?

Prayer:
Jesus, I am amazed at your presence in my life. I am in awe that you always make room for me, even when I come to you lashing out or angry. I invite you to help me see what injustice or bitterness has taken root in my heart, and I'm asking you to show me a way to move away from this bitterness so a foothold isn't created. Thank you for laying down your life so my life can be rich and satisfying. In your name, I pray, amen.

Series Theme Verse:

Hebrews 4:15
This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin.

This post was written by Lori Tuckerman, Director of Content for the LivingItOut Devotional.