Day 7: Loosen Your Grip on Anger | Learning to Trust God More – 21-Day Firm Foundation Devotional - February 10
Watch or Listen to My Message from Sunday, February 8
Day 7 — Loosen Your Grip on Anger
Key Thought: Unchecked anger corrodes the soul.
Prayer: Cleanse my heart of bitterness.
Psalm 37 is a wisdom psalm, not a lament. David is not venting frustration; he is teaching God’s people how to live faithfully when the wicked appear to prosper.
This verse is central to a message I have been sharing for some time now. Some circumstances that we face in the United States are very grievous, disturbing, and unjust. We are called by the Lord to respond through prayer, rebuke oppressors, and help affected people. We can be right about injustice and still be wrong in our response. However, silence is not the appropriate response to evil and injustice. This is why we must seek the Lord to maintain balance in our approach.
“Cease from anger”
The Hebrew word “cease” means “loosening the grip.” Those of us who serve others and care about what affects vulnerable people often have a firm grip on these concerns. We may have a justified form of anger. What we do not want is to grip anger so tightly that our emotions and judgment become distorted.
There is a form of anger that goes beyond a useful motivating emotion and becomes irritation that lingers and shapes our behavior in adverse ways.
“Forsake wrath”
“Wrath” is another level of anger that involves rage and burning fury, which is never helpful. Wrath is unchecked anger that comes from emotional escalation. David shows the progression: unchecked anger → inflamed wrath → destructive action.
This is part of the motivation for rioting. When justified anger becomes mixed with a lack of emotional control, it leads to rage and burning fury. At that point, emotions take over and people act out of control, causing harm.
“Do not fret, it only causes harm”
Fretting is anxious, agitated preoccupation that keeps the mind fixated. Fretting fuels resentment, impatience, impulsive reactions, and loss of spiritual perspective.
Jesus said in John 14:26–27, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
He also said in Matthew 11:28, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
Psalm 37:8 teaches that unchecked anger and fretfulness distort judgment, damage character, and lead to harmful outcomes.
All the more reason to lean into God so that we can remain at peace and balanced while being active in serving God, rebuking oppressors, and helping people.
Reflection Question: In what ways do you need to "loosen your grip" on anger without withdrawing and going silent?
Key insight I gained today:
Today’s action item based on insight:
_____________________________________
Donate to New Covenant Church: https://cash.app/$newcovenantindy
Sow seed to Pastor Bryan Hudson, https://cash.app/$BryanIndy
