I have been learning how not to stay mad at people. Do you have anyone that you are mad with? Always remember that the only person that anger ultimately devours is you. Holding on to anger toward another person will poison your soul. Also remember, that hurting people tend to hurt people. So how do you let go of anger and begin the journey to forgiveness and healing and peace? You pray for that person. When I first tried to pray for a person that I was angry with, I prayed that God would zap that person who hurt me. Not enough to kill him, but enough to make him hurt a little bit. I realized that is probably not what Jesus was talking about when He said to pray for our enemies. It is not easy, but it can be life-transforming when, instead of staying angry, we pray for God to bless that person, to heal whatever hurt he had in his life, and we confess our anger and ask for God’s mercy and compassion to reign. In the end something more beneficial and good will transpire than what would have happened if we had stewed in anger and tried to figure out a way to get even. Think about someone you are angry with today. Pray for God to bless that person. You just might find it is the pathway to peace.
– Dr. Tim Thompson