Wrath
Scripture:
Ecclesiastes 7:9
Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit,
for anger resides in the lap of fools.
Reflection:
Today I choose to fast from the sin of wrath.
Wrath is an extreme form of anger that often contains within it the desire for vengeance or to cause harm to another person. And while wrath may be extreme, anger does not need to go that far to create chaos in our lives.
Sinful anger is like a wild animal with sharp claws and vicious teeth, ready to destroy everything around it while perhaps also destroying itself in the process. When we feel angry we can often feel out of control and at other times we use our anger to try to control the people around us. Sometimes our anger is quite visible (rage, violence, abuse,) and sometimes it’s more subtle (passive-aggressive). Whatever the case, anger erodes us from the inside out and can wreak havoc on our relationships if left unchecked. But anger often also reveals a deeper truth - feelings of powerlessness, fear, or rejection. In order to really deal with wrath, we need to also examine these underlying emotions.
Questions for Personal Reflection:
When and in what ways am I most likely to become angry?
When I am angry, what other feelings often accompany it?
Prayer:
Pray that God would open your heart and mind to better understand what wrath and anger look like in your life and how to move forward from it. Share with God those situations that cause you to feel angry and ask God to help you uncover the deeper emotions and needs underlying your anger.
These devotions have been adapted from “Lenten Healing: 40 Days to Set You Free from Sin” by Ken Kniepmann.
