I guess it is time to confess that I am a Christian who struggles with anger. I know this is a problem from my early years, and perhaps putting this here will help others or generate some interest and comments.
Genesis 4:5-7 “but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell. So the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why is your countenance fallen?” (Of course we realize what happened afterwards AND the sad consequences.) “If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not well, SIN lies at the door. And its desire (is) for you, but you should rule over it.”
These are powerful verses for sure. As I read these words I can see myself the whole way through. All I know is, anger is a real problem and a difficult thing to deal with. I’m not sure that I understand all of this in the since that I fully understand ‘the WHY’, but I’ll try to be as clear as I can be.
Question: COULD CAIN HAVE STOPPED, RE-CONSIDERED HIS OFFERING AND DONE IT CORRECTLY, AND BEEN ACCEPTED? Was it a fore-gone conclusion that Cain was doomed to offer something unacceptable and be rejected? What is wrong with offering the best veggies? Why is a lamb more acceptable? Questions that send the mind into a ‘spin” for sure. Don’t have the answers here.
Getting back to the anger issue… How do we overcome it?
Memories of growing up are spotty to say the least. You probably know my parent and may even know me and my brothers and sisters.
My brother Bob was stricken with polio when he was 21/2 and almost dies. Dad recalled that he and mom fell on their face in supplication for Bob. He went through the iron-lung thing, numerous operations involving fussing the back to stop the curving (stenosis), legs were useless, bone used from legs and hip to fuse the back. Full-body casts, using a stick or clothes hanger to scratch. Bed-pans and urinals, back braces, tears, frustrations, prayers, trips to Warm Springs, Ga. As kids we recall peering through the hospital window at Robbie in iron lung, and his sweet smile.
Anger was a silent invasive enemy for us. Frustration because now the DYNAMICS of the home was changed for good. Everything centered around Robbie. EVERYTHING! Think about it. How would a disaster like this affect your home?
MOM: Expected to do much more. Money for food, clothing and other expenses, were tight.
DAD: Fulltime ministry and church work. Most of the time spent outside the home. Sacrifice!
ME: Help mom take care of Robbie. I’m a older brother, now a part time care-taker…
EVERYTHING WAS CHANGED!
Angry? Yes! I wanted us to be normal. Shouldn’t feel angry! I know. But you try changing bed-pans and urinals at night. How you as a kid FEEL? There was though a lot of smiles and laughter. Bonding.
I CAME TO THE POINT WHERE I WAS ROBBIE’S PROTECTOR. I COULD GET ANGRY WITH HIM, BUT NO ONE ELSE COULD.
Let me know as I go through this, if you can identify with these feelings. Maybe I’m the only one. Who knows.
“Thru the years,” things changed. Robbie (Bob) was not expected to live to 50 years old. HE LIVED TO BE 65! Not expected to get married! He was! Experiencing life in so many ways. Just look at the pictures in my gallery and dad’s. You will see Bob growing up.
God bless you. Don’t allow anger to control. Control it! Don’t open the door to or give the devil a foot-hold. Danger ahead. Find a way to conquer anger.
More coming on this…
Grow in grace.
