Good Morning.

Sometimes I look in the mirror after morning toilette, and conclude, 'okay, good. . . makeup looks god, eyes look vibrant, hair is in place. . . ready, go---' Other times, I look in the mirror, and even after my best make-up job, walk away thinking, 'well, it isn't great--but its the best I've got today. . . I'm off----' But never do I look in the mirror and walk away and forget what I look like..... do you? James makes the mirror analogous to the Word, saying something like, 'don't just read it or listen to it, and then fail to put it into practice!' (rough paraphrase of James 1.22-24) Why put it into practice, or said another way, 'why would I want to apply God's Word to my life? James tells us that doing so allows us to live in freedom.

Popular media would land on the side of Scripture being an out-of-date, archaic, do this/don't do that treatise. Not so. God's laws only hem us in for our own good and protection. Consider

the sin of adultery for a moment; Exodus 20 (home of the 10 Commandments), tells us 'don't do it'--why, because God is a killjoy and doesn't like sexual pleasure? Of course not. Adultery is destructive to individuals, marriages, families, and society in general.

James takes a look at anger, (verses 19 and 20), and then tells us how to get it under control. . . his words are practical and do-able. "Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry." We can see that, but sometimes feel powerless to change behavior patterns. May I give you a suggestion?

Let's say your mate says something that hurts you, makes you feel angry and defensive. . .

BEFORE you react or overreact, try this:

~Repeat back to her what you believe she said, and say, 'is that what you meant to say?'

~She then can say, 'oh, no, what I meant to say was this.....' or she will confirm what you heard. . .

~You then say, 'why did you say that?' (then be quiet and listen)

~You can then explain, or simply say, 'when you said that, this is how it made me feel. . . '

~BE QUIET, and let her respond, if she hasn't already, she may apologize. . .

(a rough sampling from a Gary Smalley book I read about 14 years ago)

It is noteworthy that right after James' mention of anger, he says 'get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent'. . .hmmm, so is anger moral filth? God's economy--not yours, not mine

You know,one more thought on this--for some time, I mistakenly thought I had no issue with anger because I did not have a temper; do not confuse these--just because you don't 'blow your

stack', does not mean you don't deal with anger. Anger can be a bitter thought pushed way back inside of you that gains interest, so to speak, in an account called 'Resentment'. Anger is usually secondary to fear or hurt--so, interview yourself about anger you have. . .>>>>>>figure it out, go talk to your Father about it, give it to Him, and be free

There is freedom in following God's Word,

Christine