stop

My stop sign took a hit yesterday.

We all have stop signs - resolutions to stop an undesirable behavior and start a better one. I've found that no matter how hard I try or how powerful my willpower, I occasionally run the stop sign (or run it over.) It's then I see the flashing lights in my mind's rear-view mirror.

I could have seen it coming. I could have stopped it. Storm warnings came gradually through the day as things, in my opinion, went awry. Deadline pressures. Covering for an absent co-worker - completing a task for only the second time with a revamped and unfamiliar process. Making an error - not once but twice - on my own report. And at 2 p.m. receiving a not-so-gentle reminder, copying my boss, boss' boss and the sender's boss, about an unfulfilled task.

Stop sign. Slammed to the ground. A hurricane of angry words.

This is what God has been saying to me (He even gave me a picture)...

I've been using James1:19 as my password, "... Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry." Why? It's not just a suggestion - James goes on to write, "because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires." (v. 20) 

"Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent..." (v. 21a) This reads a lot like Ephesians 4:31.

But how to do this? "... [H]umbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you." (v. 21b) What does the word say?

The word says my thoughts connect to my state of heart, oh yes, they do.  Proverbs 23:7, "For as he thinks in his heart, so he is." Ouch. 

The word says my speech flows from my state of heart, "For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of." (Matthew 12:34b)

Do I want to live with an anger-filled heart? No. It's ironic because I've had a deep struggle with a family member's anger. Then why do I choose to ignore my own storm warnings? 

Because I'm not living the thankful Truth. Because I'm not choosing joy.

God always gives me the choice - Truth or lies. His will, or mine, be done. I'm pretty sure that anger comes from a my-will-be-done attitude.

My 30-day challenge to memorize and meditate on Psalm 103 is an opportunity to count joy. There will be serious enemy opposition. If I ignore the storm warnings, I'll end up on the rooftop with floodwaters surrounding. Maybe even lapping around my ankles.

So I will count joy.

Bless the Lord. Joy will follow.