welcome and thanks for meditating with abide for more guided Christian meditations download
the abide app in the iTunes or Google Play Store do you ever struggle with anger well
like a beautiful diamond character is formed by pressure and polished by friction a person
doesn't just wake up one morning as a man or a woman of character character is developed by
adversity but when we let our eyes drift from God that adversity can often lead to frustration and
anger so today's verse it talks about anger have you ever been accused of having an angry spirit
or temperament how did that accusation make you feel well join me as we meditate reflect and pray
about fighting against anger from Ecclesiastes chapter 7 verse 9 but first join me in a time of
opening prayer dear Heavenly Father it's just hard to watch the news and not be faced with
the anger in our world not righteous anger but anger rooted in sin evil hatred Lord God please
expose anger in my life leave no margin in my life for anger to take hold but expose it and
remove it I know this won't be easy so by your authority cover my time with you with the light
the blood and the cross of Jesus remove evil today and just still my heart before you bring
me peace in Christ and whose name I pray amen you know often our light simple prayers are
attempts to heal superficial wounds but I hope this time of meditation is a time of healing
deeper wounds angry wounds so as we begin an important time here for deep relaxing breaths
peaceful breaths today and just settle into wherever you are present with God in his midst
and once again your hands placed softly over your heart because that's where we will begin
before going much further ask the spirit here to scan your life is there any anger blocking you
from encountering God's love today maybe this very moment well confess that to God right now
right here and then ask him and thank him for his grace his mercy his love his peace and forgiveness
God is peace and the spirit guides us into his peace and then Jesus embodies his peace
so listen carefully to every detail as I read from Ecclesiastes chapter 7 verse 9
be not quick in your spirit to become angry for anger lodges any hearts of
fools once again that passage is short but filled with power what stood out to
you listen to it again carefully be not quick in your spirit to become angry for
anger lodges in the heart of fools but moved in your heart well linger there given your
deeper attention and ask God to show you how he will apply this passage to your life today
what did you think of the word Lodge how anger lodges into your heart what does that word mean
picture it feel anger lodging anger finding a home in your heart taking up permanent
residence ask the spirit here to examine your heart for any anger any hint of it any at all
listen again as I read from Ecclesiastes chapter seven verse nine do not be eager in your heart
to be angry for anger dwells in the heart of fools what did you hear this time something
affirming from before or something fresh and new but one particular characteristic of Christ
did you most identify with in that passage focus on that now an even deeper meditation
this translation said do not be eager to get angry the earlier translation said be not quick
to anger so what is the opposite of angry to you asked the spirit here to bring that word
to you what is the opposite and where does that new word fit into your life right now
anger dwells in the heart of fools that can't be more clear cannon do you let anger direct
your thoughts or actions ever well God's scripture says you're a fool what is foolish
about letting anger control you what can happen with unchecked anger I think we know the answer
but let your mind wander there what does that look like unchecked anger and how does it feel
listen one in final time as I read and you meditate on Ecclesiastes chapter seven verse
nine Only Fools get angry quickly and hold a grudge you know James wrote his epistle to Jews
in order to help them grow stronger in their new Christ centered faith his letter emphasizes how
good deeds will flow easily out of solid faith I can't even imagine the persecution that they
must have endured but James says to them my dear friends you should be quick to listen slow to
speak and slow to get angry if you are angry you cannot do any of the good things that God
wants done you must stop doing anything immoral or evil instead be humble and accept the message
that has planted in you to save you what a beautiful statement for our world today but
before you judge the world invite the spirit to examine your own heart once again how can you be
more slow to speak more slow to get angry to stop evil in your life and be more humble soak in those
things right now reflect confess and meditate on how to live the life that James mentions
what did the spirit reveal in your heart maybe a recent incident a person what
effect did anger have on you on your witness and testimony and how does it
feel to face that now stay before God here in quiet meditation in confession
what are any lingering thoughts and feelings maybe convictions or fears
that remain from your time and meditation will offer them now in a time of reflective prayer
you
join me now in a time of closing prayer dear Lord God help me to not be eager in my heart to be
angry resentful deep-seated anger does not produce the righteousness of God because anger dwells in
the hearts of fools what I'm quick tempered it exposes me as a fool it exalts my foolishness
for everyone to see but Lord God I don't want to be a fool I want to be your child your disciple
to follow you and all I think and say and do so only by your strength can I cease from anger and
abandon wrath I know that anger only leads to evil but this is hard anger rises up in me sometimes
and quickly and when I least expect it so quickly give me your strength so that I will be slow
to anger and give me greater understanding of my emotions so I can profit from self-control I can't
do this on my own but only by your strength and your grace your mercy and faith in your son and
I offer and pray this now in his name your son my Savior and my Lord amen so we're almost done but
before rushing off too quickly into a world that often brings anger ask the spirit to reveal any
angry thoughts or desires or actions in your life today and pray to for someone to have the courage
to point them out in you I hope this search and reflection will bring you into that place of
peace and alignment with God as you meditate and abide in Christ we hope this meditation brought
you peace for more Christian meditations download the abide out in iTunes or the Google Play Store