When We Go Wrong

When things go wrong, do you?  Life throws all sorts of things our way and none of them are without the LORD's knowledge--including our perception of them.  Our emotions can warp the impact of little inconveniences and lead to frustration that builds up without vent.  The only lasting and satisfying relief from the troubles of life is found by faith in our good God who loves us.

From appearances it looks like many Christians have their lives in order:  they seem generous, patient, kind and loving.  We imagine they must not struggle with the things we do like selfishness, greed, anxiety,  lust, frustration and violent temper.  The only way our lives can be decent and in order is because of the grace and goodness of God!  The LORD is showing me a focus on all that seems to be going wrong for me is fundamentally sinful focus on myself, which I ought to be repent of.

What is your response when things go wrong?  Do you tend to become angry?  I do.  Lashing out verbally or physically is not a healthy or godly outlet for anger, for what can it do but more harm?  Brooding over our failures or how others have wronged us is not wise because selfishness distorts our perspective away from the reality of God's grace and goodness.  Since God is not the cause of our temptation to sin James 1:19-21 says, "So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; ²⁰ for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. ²¹ Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls."

If we imagine our circumstances are to blame for our sinful behaviour, the word of God reveals otherwise.  Instead of being angry over bad things that have happened, I ought to receive with meekness the word of God and lay aside "all filthiness and overflow of wickedness" that is produced within my flesh.  It is the trials and tribulations of life God sovereignly allows which provides an opportunity for brokenness for my sin and makes my need to grow in faith and grace in God evident to me.  We were already wrong before anything went wrong, and circumstances are an effective tool God uses to expose hidden areas of selfishness and pride we were blissfully unaware of.

Staying angry about what God has allowed, what others have done or our own failures will "not produce the righteousness of God" which is received only by faith in Christ.  James wrote to beloved brethren who needed to be swift to hear, slow to speak and slow to wrath.  Being slow to wrath provides opportunity for us to seek the LORD and deal with our own personal issues and in meekness receive correction from the Holy Spirit.  God asked Jonah, "Is it right for you to be angry?"  Jonah's anger was unjustified when God spared the people of Nineveh, for he ought to have rejoiced in God's grace and salvation he also needed.  While they repented in sackcloth, Jonah seethed with anger because he tried to justify himself.

When things go wrong, brothers and sisters, let us be those who are slow to wrath and lay aside our sin.  Remaining angry over what God has graciously allowed is like adopting a violent dog that was bred and trained to fight into a family with little children.  We cannot justify allowing the dangerous beast of wrath to live and breed in our hearts, minds and bodies, for it will only do harm.  The things big or small that provoke us to anger provide insights into how we need to change for good, and a step towards this happening is when we repent and meekly receive the word of God in faith and obedience.  I really needed to hear this, and I trust you do too.