I had an opportunity to be mad and frustrated. In my heart, I stood in that doorway about to go all the way in when the Holy Spirit said, “You don’t have to go there.”
Thank you Holy Spirit.
I would’ve regretted it. I always do. The reactions of the flesh profit nothing. Outbursts of anger, frustration, and the like, are all just weaknesses of our soul. The Bible gives us clear instructions concerning them: “Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of evil. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn away from it and pass on” (Proverbs 4:14-15).
DON’T JUSTIFY
A moment after the Holy Spirit nudged my heart, I got in my car to go take care of something that seemed inconvenient. As I drove, I let this verse do the talking. My mind wanted to justify my pouty behavior but my spirit said, “Avoid it.”
The word avoid can mean to keep away from, clear of, or shun. But I think the secondary definition is more fitting: to prevent from happening (as in, to avoid falling). The enemy loves (I repeat LOVES) to set traps for us. “Avoid it.” It’s as simple as that. Instead of falling in to his trap of pity, anger, or wrong behavior, just tell your emotions, “No, we’re not traveling down that road right now (or ever). I am purposefully choosing to turn away from it and pass on.”
The choice will always be ours. As much as I wish there was a spiritual shock collar that could jolt me back into reality when I’m suddenly agitated, there isn’t — and I might be glad actually. But in all seriousness, you and I get to choose our response. We can select from a number of possibilities — tell them off, pout, give a silent treatment, roll our eyes, or you can forgive, recognize you may just be tired and this isn’t worth losing peace over.
LET GOD
The Bible instructs us to “…let the peace of God rule in your hearts…” (Colossians 3:15). The first keyword is LET. There’s the choice again. The second keyword is rule. It means umpire. You know like in baseball when the batter meets an opponent at home plate and the umpire makes the call of safe or out. In the same way, you and I have to let (allow) the peace of God make the ruling, versus the flesh who wants to argue and mull over the events that are triggering us right now.
The moment I chose God’s peace over my unwanted agitation, my heart took a deep breath and all was good in the world. But it didn’t end there because you have to follow through and keep walking in that peace– especially if it was with a person. You have to, on purpose, be kind, smile, and act on the peace of God in your heart.
I pray this helps you. The next time you find yourself tempted to respond in an ugly manner, remember these words: You don’t have to go there.
