Grace For Your Day June 29

James 1:19-20 says We are coming to the last sermon in a three-part series on communication. We initially reviewed the heart attitudes behind communication, acknowledging that the mouth speaks from the overflow of that which fills the heart. Last week we spoke about being quick to hear ... how to listen so we really hear, both from God and in our communication with others. We also examined what it means to be slow to speak, hesitant, taking the time needed to ponder and then respond because of the power and influence that words have. As destructive as words can be, they can also heal and edify; we get to choose whether we use them for good or destructive purpose. Remember, God chose words to communicate with us and His words are especially powerful as they influence change at the heart level in all of us.

This week we want to look at anger, the strong emotion of displeasure caused by a real or perceived offense. We will ask the questions:
"Is all anger sinful?
What underlies my anger?
Does my anger have a deeper consequence than affecting those who are immediately around me?
How ought I to respond when I'm wronged?
What does it mean to provoke your children to anger?"

It's a big topic, it's a crucial topic. It's a topic that we will discuss in the light of all that we have reviewed because we can do better. There is lots of hope for those of us who struggle in this area. God's grace is always sufficient!

- Quentin Smith