2020-08-06
Ephesians 4:26-27 NIV
God designed us in such a way that in times of intense difficulty, we have a built-in moment to turn to Him for help. The primary place in your brain that processes strong negative emotions, such as rage and fear, is called the amygdala. And when it’s removed from certain animals, they become incapable of expressing rage and fear. Normally when input comes into your brain, it goes to the cortex for processing. In about 5 percent of cases, however, when something extremely emotional happens, it goes to your amygdala, and the thinking part of your brain gets short-circuited. But in between your brain’s intake and your body’s response time, there’s what researchers call the “life-giving quarter-second.” And that quarter-second – although it doesn’t sound very long – is huge. Paul writes, “In your anger do not sin…and do not give the devil a foothold.” That quarter-second is the time when the Holy Spirit can take control. That’s when you can choose to give the foothold to the Holy Spirit, or you can give it to sin. That one quarter-second in your mind can be an opportunity to say, “Holy Spirit, I’ve got this impulse right now; should I act on it?” It’s amazing how the desire to hurt someone you love can be so strong, then lead to such pain when you indulge it. But another piece of good news is that when you blow it – and you will blow it – God sends another quarter-second right behind the first one. He’s committed to you, and He will keep working with you until you get it right!
Soul food: Deut 14-17; Luke 11:45-54; Ps 119:9-16; Prov 17:4-6
Ephesians 4:26-27 NIV
It’s important to notice that, even as Christians, we still anger. Ephesians 4:26 says ‘in your anger don not sin’ (NIV). It’s not the feeling that’s the problem, it’s what we do with it that can be harmful. Anger is a normal, sometimes healthy response to something that seems wrong. Just read Matthew 21, where we see Jesus flipping tables and cursing trees. Jesus got angry, and sometimes, letting people know about our feelings like He did is necessary. It’s important, though, for us to learn to recognise when that is. We should test whether our anger is righteous on God’s behalf, or whether we’re at risk of escalating a situation that calls for quiet patience and grace. The only way to know is to call for God to lead you. One valuable step is using the inbuilt quarter of a second that experts say our brain provides us with before reacting in stressful situations. A quarter of a second doesn’t sound like much, but it is long enough to turn to God. Even when we’re face to face with someone difficult, God has wired our brains to allow us to call out and let Him take the lead. With His strength, we can train ourselves to use that quarter of a second to pray ‘God, help’ while we take a breath. That two-word prayer invites the Holy Spirit into whatever we say and do next. He helps direct our conscience and lets us know whether our response is right. It might be difficult to remember to use that quarter of a second, and we may not always get it right even when we do, but with practice and prayer, calling on God first will become automatic.
Deut 14-17; Luke 11:45-54; Ps 119:9-16; Prov 17:4-6
Efesiërs 4:26-27 NLV
God het ons so ontwerp dat ons in tye van intense moelikheid ‘n ingeboude oomblik het om na Hom vir hulp te draai. Die primêre plek in jou brein waar sterk negatiewe emosies, soos woede en vrees, geprosesseer word, word die amigdala genoem. Wanneer dit by sekere diere verwyder word, is hulle nie meer in staat om woede of vrees te voel nie Normaalweg wanneer jou brein ‘n inset ontvang, gaan dit na die korteks vir prosessering. In ongeveer 5 persent van gevalle, wanneer iets uiters emosioneel plaasvind, gaan dit egter na jou amigdala toe en word die denkende deel van jou brein omseil. Tussen jou brein se inname en jou liggaam se reaksietyd, is daar wat navorsers die ‘lewensgewende kwartsekonde’ noem. Daardie kwartsekonde – alhoewel dit nie baie lank klink nie, is groot. Paulus skryf: ‘Moenie sondig as jy kwaad word nie. Moenie… die duiwel so ‘n houvas gee nie.’ Die kwartsekonde is die tyd waarin die Heilige Gees beheer kan neem. Dis dan wanneer jy kan kies om die Heilige Gees ‘n houvas te gee, of aan sonde toe te gee. Daardie kwartsekonde in jou gedagtes kan die geleentheid wees om te sê: ‘Heilige Gees, ek het hierdie impuls op die oomblik; moet ek daarop reageer?’ Dis ongelooflik hoe sterk die begeerte kan wees om iemand vir jy lief is, seer te maak wat dan tot sulke erge pyn kan lei wanneer jy daaraan toegee. Die goeie nuus is dat wanneer jy aan daardie slegte begeerte toegee – en jy sal met tye – God weer ‘n kwartsekonde sal stuur. Hy is toegewyd aan jou en sal aanhou om met jou te werk totdat jy dit regkry!
Sielskos: Deut 14-17; Luk 11:45-54; Ps 119:9-16; Spr 17:4-6
2020-08-05
1 Thessalonians 5:15 NIV
Jesus referred to the Holy Spirit as “the helper.” And as you submit to Him, He’ll help you handle the difficult people in your life the right way. Paul writes, “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30 NIV). Don’t offend, or inhibit, or block the Holy Spirit from working in your life. You say, “How would I do that?” Paul answers, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice” (v. 31 NIV). That’s a list of pretty nasty stuff! And Paul’s point is this: Either you allow your responses to be ruled by that nasty list, or to be ruled by the indwelling Holy Spirit. The choice is yours. The Bible says, “Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold” (vv. 26-27 NIV). When you retaliate in anger, you give the Devil a foothold in your life – a beachhead from which he can attack you in other areas. When that happens, not only are you dealing with the hurt caused by the difficult person in your life, you’re dealing with the added hurt that comes from giving the Devil a foothold. So what should you do? The Bible says, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (v. 32 NIV). In other words, remember the love, patience, and grace God has shown to you, and extend it to others. That’s a strategy that never fails!
Soul food: Deut 11-13; Luke 11:29-44; Ps 119:1-8; Prov 17:3
1 Thessalonians 5:15 NIV
We’ll always have difficult people in our lives, but the good news is that we can always have the Holy Spirit in our lives too. With the Holy Spirit, we really can ‘strive to do what is good for each other’, even when we’re facing challenging attitudes and actions. The Bible tells us to ‘be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you’ (1 Thessalonians 5:32 NIV). This is a reminder that we’re called to do what is good for the people who we find difficult, as well as those that we get on with. We all need forgiving, and as God reaches out to forgive us, we should live by His example and show that compassion to those who feel difficult to us. In our own strength that can sound impossible, but that’s why we need to rely on the Holy Spirit to change our outlook and to rein in our emotions. It really is vital to do that. 1 Thessalonians also tells us what happens if we don’t let the Holy Spirit do that work. Verses 26 and 27 say ‘Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold’ (NIV). This tells us that holding a grudge against a difficult person, or allowing ourselves to stay in an angry mindset, opens the doors for all other kinds of negativity in our lives. It multiplies the hurt that we’re feeling. However, when we invite the Spirit to help us let go, and ask Him to change how we feel and act, it creates opportunities for hearts and situations to change. God can and will break through.
Deut 11-13; Luke 11:29-44; Ps 119:1-8; Prov 17:3
