A Good Start
Recently, my life has revolved around my husband Robert and his health issues. September 29, he had a sudden heart attack with hospitalization and numerous doctor visits, followed by further hospitalization and quadruple by-pass surgery, plus recovery. I don’t want to repeat those weeks, but it’s been good. The Lord has been merciful and gracious to us and has given me a new appreciation for my man.
We’ve also had steady company as family came to join us at critical times during Robert’s treatment, to celebrate my father-in-law’s 90th birthday, and for a family reunion at Thanksgiving. It’s been a very busy season.
Consequently, my blog has not been top priority. Other than filling a regular stream of book orders, I didn’t focus on Uprooting Anger and the issue of anger at all. I’m sorry I was gone so long. I hope to be more faithful with my posts in the future.
However, the third day after surgery, while at the hospital, I got a call that renewed my commitment to promote freedom from anger.
A man, whom I’ll call Cy, wanted a copy of Uprooting Anger. His counselor had recommended it, and he wanted it quickly because his anger is destroying his marriage. He lived nearby and wondered if he could come by the hospital to pick it up. I had a book in the trunk of the car and met him in front of the hospital.
As we talked, several things struck me that make me feel like he’ll find freedom from anger. Cy’s made a good start. We can all learn from him.
- Cy admits he has a problem. He isn’t rationalizing or blaming others for his anger.
- It grieves him that he is destroying his wife and their marriage through anger. Without grief over our sin, do we truly repent? Without repentance, will we change?
- He knows that he can’t control his anger; he needs help. He’s depending on God for inner change and victory.
- He’s willing to humble himself and get counsel from others to find the answers he needs.
- He’s willing to sacrifice in order to get help. Cy was out of work for a year and took a pay cut in his present job. In spite of great financial pressure, he chose to buy Uprooting Anger to find God’s answers.
The first step in overcoming anger is admitting there’s a problem, but that’s just the first step. If we don’t take action to correct it—like Cy is doing—the problem will remain. Likewise, though we need to accept responsibility, we’re totally dependent on the Lord. If He doesn’t change our hearts, we won’t become new and won’t experience victory.
Cy’s off to a good start. It’s encouraging to see someone take responsibility and move toward freedom. A good start will better ensure the perseverance needed to reach the finish line.
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