My friend, may I ask you a question? Were you ever so angry at someone that you simply had to practice an angry speech in front of a mirror? Were there times in your life as well when you mumbled angry words into a mirror just to see how they would sound and look to the person we really wanted to hurt with those words.
My friend, life’s a story, welcome to This Passing Day. I’m M. Clifford Brunner.
Were you ever so angry at someone that you simply had to practice an angry speech in front of a mirror? I’m sure there were times in your life as well as in mine when we mumbled angry words into a mirror just to see how they would sound and look to the person we really wanted to hurt with those words. For some reason, though, it just seems like a good thing to get it all out even if the person who has hurt us never hears what we have to say; or, is it?
Here’s a story: Prospectors in the Old West could tell some pretty tall tales. Here’s one of President Reagan’s favorites. “One day a hoary-headed old prospector and his mule were traveling in a desolate area of desert and deep canyons. The sun was high in the sky and the old prospector decided it was time to seek some shelter from the desert heat. He tugged at his mule and started down a steep ravine that led to a sheltered canyon with only one way out—the same way you went in. As the prospector dropped the mule’s reins he squeezed his way between two clefts of rock into a deeply shaded cut in the canyon wall. Suddenly he was startled by the distinct sound of a rattler’s tail. Stunned, he looked into the recesses of the rock and spied a large Rattlesnake. The snake rose up in the dim light, coiled and hissed at the prospector. Figuring he had to make a quick exit, the surprised prospector backed right into the mule that had somehow managed to join him in the sheltered cleft. Not knowing what to do, the prospector decided there was only one option, to out-hiss and “fuss” that old snake. So he reared up, waved his arms and shrieked at the top of his voice. The snake arched his head back and began to rock side-to-side. Finally, so frustrated by the prospector’s lack of fear and all that noise, the snake went into a frenzy, bit himself in the tail and died. The old man was saved. ( E. Stanley Jones, Reader's Digest, December 1981.)
A rattlesnake, if cornered, WILL sometimes become so angry it will bite itself. That’s exactly what the harboring of hate and resentment against others is--a biting of oneself. We think that we’re harming others in holding these spites and hates, but the deeper harm is to ourselves. The Bible tells us to “Let the peace of God rule in our heart” (Colossians 3:15). Choosing bitterness over peace makes about as much sense as yelling into a mirror. The only one who hears us is us.
"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own" (Matt 6:34)
We pray. Heavenly Father, there have been times in our lives when we were so angry at someone that we simply had to practice an angry speech in order to get the nasty words just right. We mumbled angry words into a mirror just to see how they would sound and look to the person we really wanted to hurt with those words. For some reason, though, it just seems like a good thing to get it all out even if the person who has hurt us never hears what we have to say. Forgive us Lord for becoming so angry and practicing to hurt those whom You love. We praise You Lord that You treat us with such grace and mercy, even when we break Your law and forget You. Give us Your Spirit Lord to forgive, forget and move on in life. In Jesus name we pray. Amen!
Therefore my friend, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry for itself; each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matt 6:34) This Passing Day. May this passing day honor our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and be a blessing to you and everyone you meet. Find a stranger and say hello. Don't let another day pass without your day blessing someone else.
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<thispassingday@gmail.com> From Beech Springs, God bless you for Jesus sake.