Let’s go on a little walk together. We approach a house, it looks neatly manicured and well cared for. We open the door and go in, the inside is a bit disorganized, but nothing crazy. However, there is a smell. It’s rather strong in some areas of the house. We wonder what’s causing the smell and how long it’s been that way. When we ask the person living in the house what the smell is, they look at us confused. Smell? What smell? They’ve lived in it that way for so long, that they don’t even smell it anymore. Do we find ourselves in a similar situation? Are we willing to admit it?
How can we live out the second greatest commandment found in Matthew 22:39-40 39) “A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40) The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” if we are struggling with the greatest one, Matthew 22:37-38 “Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38) This is the first and greatest commandment.”
Life is hard and complicated. We might think “If it weren’t for so and so, my life would be fine.” Or we justify our unforgiveness, saying that the person doesn’t “deserve” it for what they did to us. Pastor Adam mentioned having blindspots. We all have them. It always seems so much easier to point out what’s wrong with everyone else, than it is to see our own issues.
You are in the right place, among great company. “The church is a place where it is ok to not be ok.” But it is time to begin to confront the blind spots and the areas that need attention that we have neglected or held back for far too long. And with God’s help, we can do this.
We will be looking at some people in the Old Testament that struggled with mess and blind spots. These stories and examples serve as a warning of sorts too, as well as point us to Christ. We will begin by looking at the mess of anger. We’ll be reading Scripture and reflecting on our own personal journey and hopefully allowing the Lord to come in and help us with the messiness in our hearts. Be encouraged, there is hope.
Monday:
The first time we see the word ANGER used in the Bible is Genesis 4:2b-5 (NIV) “Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. 3) In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. 4) And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, 5) but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.” God accepting the offering had less to do with the actual thing that was offered, rather He was looking at the heart of each of these men. Research has identified 34,000 emotions, oh my! However, three primary ones have been identified by researchers: happy, sad, and angry. These three will tend to be the base for other emotions we feel. Emotions are contagious, with anger (fear) being the most transferable to others.
Reflection/Action:
Let’s take today to reflect on our emotions. We may feel like we are experiencing 34,000 emotions, but let’s dial it back and really consider. Let’s really look at the emotion of anger. Reflect back on just this week. What things did you face and how did you face them (react)? What emotions did you experience this week? Let’s take some time to really be honest about our blindspots. What have we been purposefully ignoring? What smell have we allowed ourselves to get used to, but others mention it and question it? Ask the Holy Spirit to help you be honest with yourself and to reveal what you’ve been trying to hide. He loves you so much. He’s safe. He’s The One that can actually do something about it. Bring it to Him today.
Tuesday:
We read yesterday in Genesis 42b-5 that Cain was angry after both he and Abel brought offerings to the Lord and the Lord accepted Abel’s, but not Cain’s. Let’s read Genesis 4:6, which says, 6) “Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? We read that the Lord sees Cain’s anger. He doesn’t just see it, but He wants to talk with Cain about it. He wants Cain to see what He already knows about it. He asks Cain, “Why are you angry?” Pastor Adam did clarify between righteous anger and human anger. This is definitely human anger. We are going to dig deeper into this tomorrow, however, for today let’s sit with the question “Why are you angry?”
Reflection/Action:
The Lord did not come to Cain and berate him and shame him for his emotion. He simply asked him, “Why are you angry?” Now imagine the Lord is sitting with you and He has asked you this question. “Why are you angry?” His eyes are kind, His voice is kind. You can feel His love for you at this moment. What would your answer be? Being totally honest, not what you think He wants to hear. Say it out loud. Write it down in a journal. It’s okay if it’s more than one reason. Your Heavenly Father can handle whatever it is you’re facing. You can trust Him with your answer.
Wednesday:
Genesis 4:7 says 7) If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.” (NIV). The Lord started out in verse 6 by asking Cain, “Why are you angry?” He goes on to encourage him that if he does right (has the right heart), his offering will also be accepted. He is also warned that if he does not do what is right he is opening himself up to sin and sin is ready to have a place. He encourages Cain one more time and says, “But you must rule over it.” Where do you find yourself today? Are you finding that it is easier to be angry than to let God in and let Him help you? Have you been ignoring the “smell”, ignoring the piles of (heart) debris, and growing used to those things? Have others asked you about it and you find yourself defensive? Are you wondering what in the world they are talking about, but deep inside you really know?
Reflection/Action:
Taking your answer(s) from yesterday and God’s encouragement to do what is right and not let sin have a hold, what is your next step? What have you let go for far too long and you know it’s time to give it to God? He longs to help you. He has your very best interest at heart. Take your “Why are you angry?” answer(s) and ask God to forgive you. Pastor Adam said, “Anger is a reaction that warns you of your blind spot.” Ask God to help you start clearing the clutter. Seek out a Godly friend to be accountable with. Seek professional counseling. Journal. Go back to the basics of the spiritual disciplines of prayer and Bible reading. Be brave to take the next step.
Thursday:
Let’s take one more look at Genesis 4 this week. Let’s consider the cost of letting the anger stay. The cost of letting the sin fester and grow. Genesis 4:8 “Now Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.” While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.” Cain did not want God’s help. He did not want to answer the question “Why are you angry?” Cain compared himself to Abel and felt that he did not measure up and he put the blame on Abel. Yet, it was Cain’s heart and perspective that caused the anger, not Abel. How many times do we find ourselves in this very same scenario? Blaming everyone and everything and not taking responsibility.
Reflection/Action:
At what cost have you kept the anger? Has it been worth it? We can do what is right OR we can do what feels easier. Which is best?
Friday:
Let’s take a moment to look in the New Testament in James 4:1-3 (NIV) “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? 2) You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. 3) When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” The Scripture, in a way, is reminding us of the Cain and Abel situation. What is causing the fights and quarrels? It’s a heart issue. We long to have what others have. Yet, the reason we don’t have is because we are not asking God. Or maybe because we are asking God with the wrong motives. Verse 3 points out that we may ask but we are not receiving because our motives (heart) are wrong. And we are wanting things that satisfy our flesh.
Reflection/Action:
Read James 4:1-3. Have you been fighting and quarreling? Have you been desiring what you don’t have and you are going after it all wrong? Have you been asking God with the wrong heart and wrong motives for your own personal gain? Ask God to forgive you and help you. 1 John 1:9 says, “9) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” It really is that easy. God is not afraid of our messy lives. He loves us where we are and He loves to forgive and cleanse us and take us where we need to go. Seek Him and allow Him to work in your mess today.
Saturday:
Today, simply let God come and do what you cannot. Let God come into the mess. Let His love permeate your heart today