a snack and a nap…

#2 of the “top five” things you can do to not be easily angered is to get some rest. more often than not when it comes to being angry, we just need a snack and a nap. that’s what we need to make it through.

there’s no better example of this than elijah in 1 kings 19. elijah is the prophet of GOD. he has just battled 450 false prophets on a mountain. one prophet of GOD against these 450 false prophets. that’s what i would call a poor “prophet” margin! he’s victorious over 450.

the next day queen jezebel says, “this isn’t over yet! i’m still after you.” elijah has a meltdown. he goes ballistic. he runs as fast as he can to the other end of the country, all the way talking about his depression and his anger, all the way talking about what a terrible thing. you can almost hear the wheels spinning. “i have this great victory! couldn’t i enjoy it for one day? no! all of a sudden, she’s after me again.” all the way to the other end of israel he keeps giving the same “poor me!” speech to GOD. “i’m the only one left. you’ve only got me, and look what you’re doing to me.” if you hear yourself continuing to give the same poor me speech, it’s a pretty good indication that you’re too tired. or that you need something to eat.

elijah gets as far away as he can from the situation, and then GOD encourages him to get some rest and eat. 1 kings 19.5 (niv) says, elijah lay down under a tree and fell asleep. all at once an angel touched him and said, [and here’s what the angel came all the way from heaven to earth to say to elijah] “get up and eat.” that’s an important message. lay down and rest. get up and eat. that’s one of the most important things you and i can do to break through the anger in our lives.

one of the reasons why you’re so angry is you are just too busy. the busyness of life, the pace of life is what’s creating so much of this anxiety. GOD invites you, before you do anything else, get some rest. take some time off. take the break that you need. that’s where all this is coming from.

just a thought from the front porch…