I recently read a clever and insightful statement that is impacting my life.
“You can worry if you want to. It will give you something to do. But there’s no benefit to it.”
I’ll add two variations:
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- “You can be angry if you want to. It will give you something to do. But there’s no benefit to it.”
- “You can judge others if you want to. It will give you something to do. But there’s no benefit to it.”
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Not only is there no benefit in worrying, getting angry, and judging others, if left unchecked they can become toxic, metastasize, and corrupt our mind and emotions.
The Bible clearly teaches:
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- Don’t worry about anything (Philippians 4:6).
- Get rid of all anger (Ephesians 4:31).
- Do not judge others (Matthew 7:1).
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How do we guard against these poisonous thoughts? Try to recognize when they first appear in your mind, then immediately drop them and redirect your thoughts to a healthy subject. I recently wrote a post titled “Sometimes we just need to drop it.”
As soon as you sense worry, anger, or judgment creeping into your soul, drop it. Find something else to do that will be beneficial. Declutter your mind and you’ll live a happier and more productive life.
Love this! ❤️ Great advice!
Thanks, Judy, for kind and affirming words. Take care, Don.
This is so true. Thank you for your practical reminder, Don. We enjoy your emails , the music and worship in the Traditional service. We have been attending Stonebriar for 4 1/2 years and have been members for two years. What a blessing it is to be a part of the Stonebriar Church working together for the Lord Jesus.
Hello Rob and Diane. Thanks for taking the time to respond and for reading my posts.
Stonebriar is a wonderful church. We have a great past and a hopeful future. Thanks for being faithful members.
Take care, Don.
Another well said piece of advice. Thank you, Don!
Thanks, Gail. These three things are easier said than done but we must keep trying. Take care, Don.
Three Things post is right on time for me. I have been praying and meditating about holiness and purity. Anger, worry, and the distraction of judging others no doubt can corrupt our minds and keep us in a state where we are not growing in the grace. We are not hearing or listening to the Holy Spirit during these rants that come in our minds. As you said, we must stop it as soon as we recognize. Or just be proactive by prayer, daily scripture meditation, and worship. I wake every morning to this is the day the Lord has made, a song I happen to listen to on YouTube from the Stonebriar choir. Anytime I want to worship I listen to my Stonebriar mix on YouTube and as I listen to the words being said it makes me so grateful that I can “keep my mind on these things”. And yes, sometimes we just need to drop it. The sun will be back it in the morning and will be a new day. We have new things to experience and more honor and glory to give to the Lord.
Candi, thanks for sharing your thoughts. You would make a good preacher :). It’s a constant struggle to discipline our minds, but we can make progress. Take care, Don.
Thank you Don for the article,.
Thanks, Mary, for kind and encouraging words. Take care. Don
Jesus commanded us to be angry and sin not, do not let the sun go down on your wrath…Ephesians 4:26..
Jesus was angry when he overthrough the money changer tables in the temple..we need to be angry at sin like the murdering of unborn babies and let that anger drive us to do something about it…Jesus commanded us to “…judge righteous judgement..John 7:24….righteous judgement enables to determine right from wrong…
I encourage you to be thorough and be a berean in your writings…
Proverbs 10:22
Thanks, Jimmy, for taking the time to respond.
You’re right, the Bible does allow for anger…not sure about judging others or worrying. I do think that most of us suffer from the downside of anger; we let the sun go down on our anger and that soils our spirit.
Take care,
Don