This week's devotion is entitled:


My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.
~James 1:19-20 (NIV)

I believe that God has put on my heart this week to talk about anger. Sometimes it is easy to become angry if someone wrongs you or gets on your nerves, but the Bible tells us to be slow to anger and quick to forgive. It's hard to shine a light and show others the love of Christ when we are mad at someone, especially the person you are trying to reach.

Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.
~Ephesians 4:31

This verse tells us to not only put anger away from us, but to put it away "with all malice." Which means that we should hate anger, and we should do everything we can to avoid being angry. Satan will try to use anger to hinder your walk with God and to hinder your ministry. But don't let him! As Elanor Roosevelt once said, "No one can make you angry without your permission."

For wrath kills a foolish man, and envy slays a simple one.
~Job 5:2