Binding Hearts Marriage and Family Ministries
Monday Marriage Minder
September 22, 2008
Love Is... Part Eight (8)
"it (Love) is not easily angered," 1 Corinthians 13:5c NIV
After a week of computer problems, followed by a several days without power, we can finally resume our look at the characteristics of love. Speaking of the lack of electric power, while what was left of "Ike" blew through last Sunday evening, we were making our way home from church - dodging branches, power lines and debris. We were approximately half-way home when our daughter announced that she needed a restroom - urgently. The road we travel is in farm country - no gas stations, rest stops or stores. Finally, in the necessity of the moment, I pulled onto a side road. My wife opened her door, and as she did, "Ike" tried to claim the door as his. A split second and $1250.00 in damages later, my wife climbed out of the van and opened the sliding door to let our crying daughter out.
It would have been easy for us to lose our temper and become angry. But, being under the influence of God's love, to us and through us, created that "check" in our hearts that prompted us to step back, emotionally, and reason through the situation. Was our dented fender and bent door unfortunate? Yes. But that would not have given us the right to be angry at one another. When we're angry we tend to say hurtful things. We use words that tear down and destroy. Sometimes, saying the wrong thing at the worst time can yield irreparable damages. It is common for something that was said years ago in anger to be the root of fresh poison in a relationship today.
As I write this, our van is in the Body-Shop. It is being repaired. A few parts, paint, and varnish and the van will be fine. However, the damage from the words that could have been spoken in the heat of anger would not have been nearly as easy to fix.
Ephesians 4:26 contains a warning. It is a warning against the damaging effects of anger, because, when prolonged, anger can easily lead to sin. Imagine what our marriages, families, churches, communities and world would look like if this characteristic of love was lived out in just our own lives.
Question of The Week: How has un-checked anger caused damage to your marriage and family relationships?
For Marriages & Families,
Dave
Love & Respect Ministries, Binding Hearts Marriage & Family Ministries and Grace Fellowship
invite you to...
A Valentines To Remember
February 13-14, 2009
at
Grace Fellowship
Canton, Ohio
Details Coming Soon
Info: revdkidd@gmail.com
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