devotions for the daniel fast

God Will

July 23, 2019 By Kristen Feola

“The Lord will work out his plans for my life” (Psalm 138:8 NLT).

“Hello, Abram. It’s me, God. I want you to pack up your things, say goodbye to your home, and settle in a new land. Got it? Now, go!”

That’s pretty much how it happened. God didn’t give Abram details, only directions. He told Abram what he wanted him to do and expected him to get moving. The Bible doesn’t record Abram’s immediate response, but I’m sure he had a few questions, such as, “Where exactly will I be going? What am I supposed to do once I get there? How is this all going to work out?”

God saw the fear and doubt in Abram’s heart. He understood Abram’s struggle with leaving the familiar and stepping out into the unknown. That’s why the Lord spoke the following words:

“I will make you into a great nation
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you” (Genesis 12:2-3).

Notice God said, “I will,” five times in two verses. God was making it clear he would be the Prime Mover in this adventure. He would be the One making things happen. He would be Abram’s sole Provider. Abram didn’t have to figure out the game plan for his journey to a foreign land. He just needed to believe God and obey his instructions.

Has God laid something specific on your heart he wants you to do? If you’re hesitant, remember God’s promise to do the work. He will bring his plans to pass if you’ll trust him. If God says it’s time to leave something behind and move forward in faith, don’t delay. Respond as Abram did. Go!

Get Out of the Boat

July 8, 2019 By Kristen Feola

Peter was exhausted. He and the other disciples had spent all day with Jesus. They had ministered for hours to the crowds of people who followed them. When it began to get late, Jesus sent the disciples off in a boat so they could get some rest. Jesus stayed behind to pray.

That night the wind picked up and began tossing the boat back and forth on the water. The waves made it hard for the disciples to row. Jesus saw their struggle and went out to them by walking on the water. When the disciples saw him, they were terrified. He looked like a ghost. But, Jesus told them, “Take courage! It is I. Do not be afraid” (Matt. 14:27).

Peter, the bold leader that he was, said, “Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water (14:28).” Jesus said, “Come,” and Peter got down out of the boat. He took a huge step of faith by putting his feet in the water and started walking toward the Lord.

What Peter did makes absolutely no sense. People don’t walk on water! That just doesn’t happen. But, as we’re reminded in Luke 18:27:

“What is impossible with men is possible with God.”

Sometimes we don’t understand what God is doing or asks us to do. We just don’t see how it can happen. It doesn’t make sense, and we can’t figure it out. But, you know what? We don’t have to understand. All we need to do is to trust in the Lord, focus on his promises, and find peace in his Presence.

In order for Peter to walk on the water, he had to get out of the boat. He had to cast all doubt and fear aside and keep his eyes on Jesus. As long as he did, Peter lived in the supernatural. He experienced God’s power working in his life. Instead of being paralyzed by fear like the rest of the disciples, Peter walked in faith.

Jesus calls out to each of us, “Come.” What he is calling you to do may be different than what he’s placing on my heart. But, the invitation is still the same—to trust in him—no matter what our circumstances are, no matter what everyone else is doing, no matter what obstacles are in front of you, and no matter how much you’re afraid.

I want to be like Peter. I choose today to put my feet into the water and take steps toward what God wants me to do. What about you? Will you get out of the boat?

Love Your Enemies

February 21, 2019 By Kristen Feola

When Jesus said in Matthew 5:44, “Love your enemies,” who exactly did he mean? In elementary school, the enemy is the big, mean bully who picks on other kids. In adulthood, the enemy looks quite different.

What if the enemy is a former friend who betrayed you? Or a co-worker who seems determined to make you look bad? Or, worse yet, what if it’s someone in your family–a child, a sibling, or your spouse?

God’s command is the same: Love. No matter who the hostile person is, show them love.

Extending love in the face of persecution isn’t easy, and it’s definitely not natural. In fact, it’s impossible without God’s help. Only through the power of the Holy Spirit can you show kindness to people who are hateful toward you.

When someone spews toxic words in your face or does horrible things to you, remember one thing: That person is not the enemy. The evil behavior they’re demonstrating comes from somewhere else. Actually, from someone else–from Satan, the father of lies. He is your real enemy. Satan is completely opposed to you and to all Christ followers. His goal is to destroy your joy, hope, peace, and faith. . . and, eventually, your life.

But the good news is: God is on your side! The Lord is your Defender, and he fights for you! So you don’t have to take revenge when people hurt you. You don’t need to come up with some plan to make them pay for what they did. Instead, take your pain to the Lord in prayer, and let him comfort you. Trade your seething anger for his perfect peace.

God is patient with us. He knows sometimes it takes a few days for us to get to the point of surrender. But when we do, it’s a sweet time of letting go. You and I weren’t designed to carry the burdens of bitterness and resentment. Such emotions only cause more wounds and end up stunting spiritual growth.

Ask the Lord to reveal any unforgiveness in your heart. If he shows you something, confess it. Then, pray for anyone in your life you would classify as an enemy. Pray that person will know the love of God in a personal way.

Listen to God

February 11, 2019 By Kristen Feola

“Anyone who belongs to God listens gladly to the words of God” (John 8:47 NLT).

It was an early Saturday morning, and no one else in the house was awake. I quietly slipped out of bed, put on my workout clothes, and headed to the gym. After more than two weeks at home with my children on Christmas vacation, this momma was desperate for some time alone.

When I entered the facility, I was immediately assaulted by deafening, rap-style music. The song blared through the speakers at full volume. At first I thought, There’s no way I can exercise like this! But, I was determined. I wasn’t going to leave. In the thirty seconds it took me to walk to the treadmill, I heard at least five obscenities. I couldn’t get my headphones on quickly enough.

Even after I turned on my Christian music, I could still hear the other song. It was distracting and disturbing. The lyrics made me uncomfortable. I did my best to concentrate on the positive words in my ears and tune out the profane.

It wasn’t long before I barely noticed the rap music and was able to settle into my workout. After fifteen minutes, the perpetrator turned off the radio and left the building. I was finally able to relax and exercise in peace.

We live in a world that’s riddled with sin. Evil is all around us, and we’re constantly bombarded with negative influences. Sometimes the world can be loud – shockingly loud – and it’s difficult to hear the Lord’s voice. We must choose to focus on truth and tune out anything opposed to it.

Daily Bible reading is essential to walking in victory. You should hunger for God’s instruction just as you hunger for food. You need to take pleasure in his commands more than you savor a fine meal. If you struggle with consistency in this area, ask God to increase your desire for his Word. May you find renewed delight in listening to him!

Obedience Leads to Peace

February 4, 2019 By Kristen Feola

The simplest instructions can sometimes be the most difficult to follow. Let me give you an example (hypothetical, of course). When a parent tells her teenage daughter, “Clean your room,” you’d think the teen would know to pick up her various piles of clothes on the floor, not bunch them up in one gigantic, overflowing heap! But somehow what’s obvious to the parent seems to befuddle the child.

Fortunately, when it comes to obeying the Lord, we don’t have to guess how we’re supposed to live. The Bible gives us simple, clear-cut instructions, such as, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done” (Phil. 4:6-7).

Sounds easy enough, right? I wish it was. Let’s take a closer look at the truths in these two verses:

“Don’t worry about anything.” You may be wondering, Is that even possible? It must be, or God wouldn’t have included this command in the Bible.

“Pray about everything.” Talk to God about the details of your life. No matter how big or small, He cares about it all!

“Tell God what you need.” If you haven’t already, make a list of prayer requests for yourself and others in a journal. Then continue to bring those requests before the Lord on a regular basis.

“Thank him for all he has done.” Tell the Lord how thankful you are for specific blessings in your life. Make it a goal to write down five or 10 things every day.

When we develop the habit of trusting God with every situation, we’ll have tranquility instead of tension. Also, as we cultivate an attitude of gratitude, our hearts will be full of joy. But wait. There’s more! Check out Phil. 4:7:

“Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

Did you catch that? The peace of God will act as a garrison around us so the enemy can’t break though!

In your prayer time today, thank the Lord for the gift of his perfect peace that protects you, strengthens you, and leads you to victory.

Get Alone With God

May 31, 2018 By Kristen Feola

Do you have a special place where you like to read your Bible and pray? Maybe it’s a comfy chair or a designated area of your house. Perhaps you’re like me and you can best hear from the Lord outside among His creation, such as in the mountains or on the beach.

But sometimes life gets hectic. Before we know it,we’ve failed to connect with our heavenly Father for days. Weeks. Sometimes even months.

I say “we” because I’ve been there. Often. So, don’t worry. You’re not alone.

All throughout the month of May, I struggled with being consistent in reading God’s Word. Prayer was often sporadic as well. Although I thought about the Lord, I rarely took the time to commune with Him. Instead, I kept myself busy with other things. With less important things. Soon I missed my Friend. I desperately needed some one-on-one with Him, and I longed to hear His voice.

Last night at our church’s Wednesday night prayer service, I confessed to the Lord how I’d been rebellious and lazy and apathetic. I also thanked God for His mercy and grace and patience. A huge weight was lifted from my shoulders as I expressed my deep desire to grow closer to Him.

Has something similar ever happened to you?

When we feel distant from the Lord, it’s because we have pulled back, not because He has. The best remedy for that kind of situation is to humble ourselves before the Lord and just talk to Him. In those moments, we can be completely honest about our feelings and struggles because He knows our hearts anyway.

God is always ready to meet with us. He’s never too busy. Never distracted. Never inconvenienced. When we make a move toward the Lord, His arms are already open wide, ready to embrace us in unconditional love.

I want to encourage you to get away with the Lord today. Go to your special place where you can be alone with Him. If you don’t have one, ask God to provide. (Also, if you’d like a plan for regular Bible reading, check out my recent blog post, “One Month of Psalms.”)

No matter how you feel right now, after a few moments with the Lord, you’ll be changed. Strengthened. Uplifted. And blessed.

May God fill your heart with great joy as you spend time in His presence today!

{Additional resources for growth in your prayer life: The Ultimate Guide to the Daniel Fast, Lift Up Your Voice: 21 Daily Devotions for Your Daniel Fast, and Spiritually Strong: The Ultimate 6-Week Guide to Building Your Body and Soul.}

New eBook: Lift Up Your Voice

December 5, 2017 By Kristen Feola

Writing another book wasn’t on my radar for the fall of 2017. But God had other plans. I’m happy to announce the release of my new eBook, Lift Up Your Voice: 21 Daily Devotions for Your Daniel Fast (available on Kindle or NOOK).

As I prayed about a theme for the January 2018 Online Daniel Fast, I kept being drawn to the story of Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20. When Jehoshaphat, King of Judah, was informed that a large army was advancing toward his land, he was terrified. But Jehoshaphat didn’t go into hiding or run from the fight. He turned to the Lord and called for a nation-wide fast.

One day when I was hiking and thinking the 2 Chronicles passage, I sensed the Lord prompting me to write a devotional guide about it. The more I thought about the idea, the more excited I became. Later that day, I began working on the book. Less than a month later, Lift Up Your Voice was completed.

Lift Up Your Voice: 21 Daily Devotions for your Daniel Fast takes an in-depth look at 2 Chronicles 20 by studying the chapter verse by verse. Lift Up Your Voice explores how King Jehoshaphat and his people responded to their troublesome trial and how the Lord provided as they sought him wholeheartedly. Each devotion begins with a personal experience from my life, which is then related to the day’s assigned Bible reading. At the end of the 21 days, you’ll learn more about me, more about Jehoshaphat, and more about the Lord and His Word.

If you’re planning on doing the Daniel Fast this January, you’ll want to get Lift Up Your Voice for your Bible study and prayer time. Also, if you’ve done the Daniel Fast in the past and have been using the devotions in The Ultimate Guide to the Daniel Fast, you can get a new set of devotions in Lift Up Your Voice!

I’m excited to share this resource with you because it has been a wonderful gift from the Lord. I believe the Lord will use the devotions in Lift Up Your Voice to encourage you, inspire you, challenge you, and strengthen you. Download your copy today!

Lift Up Your Voice (Kindle)

Lift Up Your Voice (NOOK)

Lift Up Your Voice (PDF)
Submit payment below using a Paypal account or your credit card. Once payment is received, your copy of the book will be emailed to you.

**Find out more about the January 2018 Online Daniel Fast.**

What Do You Want God to Do?

October 31, 2016 By Kristen Feola

“In the day of my trouble I will call to you, for you will answer me” (Ps. 86:7).

A few weeks ago I served as a volunteer at the Designed for Life Women’s Conference at JQH Arena in Springfield, MO. During the three-day conference, hundreds of prayer request cards were filled out by women seeking God’s help in various situations.

When I piled all 400+ cards on the table, I was overwhelmed by the size of the stack. So much pain. So many needs.

But, in the next breath, I remembered that we serve a big God, one who is willing and able to answer! One who responds to the cries of His people!

Let me give you an example from the Bible.

One day when Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho, they came across a man who sat by the roadside begging. When the man heard that Jesus was near, he cried out to Him. The Bible says the beggar shouted. His voice was so loud that people told him to be quiet.

But the man didn’t zip his lips. Instead, he shouted all the more!

Then Jesus stopped and asked the beggar, “What do you want me to do for you?” The man replied, probably without hesitation, “Rabbi, I want to see.”

Do you know what happened next? The blind man wasn’t blind anymore! He received his sight. And then he followed Jesus.

God cares about what’s happening in your life. Nothing is too trivial to bring to Him. No situation is too difficult for Him to handle. The Lord wants to help you. He wasn’t too busy to answer the man’s cries. And He isn’t too busy to answer yours.

The Lord sees right where you are. He hears your cries. And He will respond. It may not be immediate as it was for the blind man, but you can be confident God is working.

Today Jesus is asking, “What do you want me to do for you?”

Take your concerns to God in prayer. Just talk to Him about what’s on your mind and heart. Your words don’t have to be fancy or formal. Pour out your heart to the Lord in honest communication. Your heavenly Father is waiting. He loves you so much.

The Pain You Don’t See

September 16, 2016 By Kristen Feola

Commodus, 5.10a, Horseshoe Canyon Ranch, Jasper, AR

I stood at the base of Commodus, a popular, 5.10a sport climbing route at Horseshoe Canyon Ranch near Jasper, AR. It was a sunny September day, and the weather was perfect. Climbers from all over the country had gathered at Horseshoe for a full day of climbing. Since Commodus is a classic route, several people wanted to get on it, including Justin and me. So when it was finally our turn, I was ready to go.

Justin had already led the route, which means he had attached our rope to the fixed bolts along the wall with carabiners. After he had reached the top of Commodus and secured the rope in the anchors, Justin descended to belay me. My job was to follow him and remove the carabiners, a process known as “cleaning.”

I tied in, chalked up, and started up the rock. The climb to the first bolt was easy and fun. The handholds and footholds were solid. All I had to do was unclip the first carabiner and continue on up to the next bolt.

But I had trouble unclipping. With my right arm extended and left hand holding on, I could barely reach the bolt. Because I was stretched out, the tension on the rope was tight.

I gave the rope a big jerk to force it out of the carabiner. When I did, I came off the rock. I knew I was going to take a fall, but I expected Justin’s belay device to activate before I hit the ground. It didn’t.

Directly underneath me was a tall, pointy rock. When the sharp edge made contact with my tailbone, I cried out like a wounded animal. The pain was immediate and intense. A warm sensation swept over my whole body. I felt nauseated and thought I would throw up.

Slowly, I stood up. The last thing I wanted to do was keep climbing. But, after a few minutes, I forced myself to get back on the wall. I didn’t want fear to keep me grounded, that day or in the future. I had to conquer Commodus. And I did. Bruised backside and all.

I struggled with constant pain for the next two weeks. It hurt to walk. To sit. And even to lie down. I only felt relief when standing for short amounts of time.

Most people around me had no idea how much I was suffering. Only an extremely observant person would have noticed my gait was a little awkward, like I’d been riding a horse too long. Only someone watching my body language would have picked up on how slowly I moved. And only those paying close attention would have seen my slight grimace as I shifted my body weight from one cheek to the other when I’d been sitting too long.

One day when I was especially uncomfortable, I sensed the Lord speaking to my heart about my experience, challenging me to consider it from a spiritual perspective.

Every day I come into contact with hurting people. People who are in great distress, not from a rock climbing accident, but from circumstances in their lives, past and present. Abuse, rejection, neglect, addiction, and betrayal have caused massive internal injuries. Only I don’t see their pain. I’m not paying attention. I’m too preoccupied with myself to notice.

But I’m not the only one in this predicament. Every human being on this planet struggles with self-centeredness. It’s part of our sinful nature. We’re all guilty of getting caught up in the details of our own lives. But we can do better. We can change! Through the power of the Holy Spirit, you and I can become more focused on others instead of ourselves.

If that’s your desire – to be more aware of people’s hurts and ways you can help – pray this prayer with me today:

“God, I confess that I think too much and too often about myself. Your Word says, ‘Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too” (Phil. 2:4 NLT).’ Open my physical and spiritual eyes to the people around me. Give me your heart – a heart of compassion and comfort – and show me how to alleviate their suffering. Thank you for teaching me how to grow in this area of my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Once you’ve asked God to increase your sensitivity to others, you can be confident He will answer such a request. In fact, be on the alert. The Lord just might send someone your way today.

[Note: A climber who rated Commodus online as a 5-star climb commented, “Pleasant balancey climbing with some reachy moves. Loved it. A fall might be painful.” Might be? I know from experience that a fall is definitely painful on this route!]

When You’re in a Hard Season

March 22, 2016 By Kristen Feola

Spring is finally here! Where I live, the weather is getting warmer, and flowers are starting to bloom. Spring is one of my favorite seasons because it means new beginnings and new life.

But not all seasons are so pleasant. Sometimes we find ourselves in an extended time of sadness or pain, somewhat like a spiritual winter.

I know because it has happened to me. Recently.

Last year was tough. January 2015 started out great with the annual online Daniel Fast and the release of my second book, Spiritually Strong: The Ultimate 6-Week Guide to Building Your Body and Soul. But then I encountered scary health issues in February. At the same time, family problems arose. By March, I was spent. Physically, emotionally, and spiritually. And I got stuck.

Fear set in. I felt anxious throughout the day. At night, my body was exhausted, but I couldn’t sleep. My mind kept going a hundred miles an hour, thinking about all the what ifs. I was scared because I stopped trusting God.

Have you ever been in a similar situation? Are you there now? If so, let God pull you out of that pit of despair and unbelief. Don’t even try to climb out yourself. You’ll never make it. Oh, you might gain some ground, but you’ll slowly slip back down into the mud and mire. Instead, reach out for the Lord, and let Him grab your hand. Let His strength replace your weakness. Let His power remove your pain.

Yes, the past year has been challenging for me. But the Lord has used (and is using) the experiences to strengthen my spiritual muscles. I believe that the past winter season is about to usher in a glorious spring in my life. As my wise mentor, Ginni, told me, “This is not a bad season. This is a season of becoming fit for God’s power.”

I encourage you to adopt the same perspective.

If you’re experiencing a difficult time right now, put your trust in the Lord no matter what your circumstances. Stand on the truth of His Word despite your feelings. Remember, this promise:

“And we know that all that happens to us is working for our good if we love God and are fitting into his plans” (Rom. 8:28 TLB).

A hard season is actually a good season. The Lord is with you, and He will bring you to a greater, deeper, stronger place because of it.

Your winter is coming to an end. Spring is just around the corner.

Your Future Starts NOW

October 15, 2015 By Kristen Feola

This past weekend I attended the Designed for Life Women’s Conference at JQH Arena in Springfield, MO. It was a power-packed event – not just because of the world-class speakers – Robert Madu, Holly Wagner, and Julia A’Bell – but because God spoke.

Each message I heard challenged me, but one in particular stood out from the rest. It was a session with Julia A’Bell (Hillsong Church, Australia) entitled “Your Future is Now.”

When Julia was younger, she wanted to be a successful point guard, so she worked hard to sharpen her skills. Every day after school, Julia practiced dribbling the basketball in her garage – first with her right hand for 30 minutes and then with her left for even longer (because her left hand was weaker). Over time, Julia got good – really good – and was able to achieve her goal.

But in order for Julia to reach her preferred future – being exceptional in her sport instead of average – she had to make a choice. Actually, she had to make a series of choices, day after day. Julia learned to travel the difficult path of discipline. She traded afternoons with friends for hours alone in the garage. Bounced a ball instead of watching television. Pushed forward instead of giving up.

Julia’s story made me think about my goals. What things do I want to see happen in my life? And what choices do I need to make to get there?

I have several goals that I envision to be part of my preferred future, such as more date nights with my husband, for our daughters to love the Lord and His Word, and to travel on more outdoor adventures as a family. But there’s one area of my life that keeps tripping me up – my body.

When I look in the mirror, I don’t recognize the person I see. It’s not me. It doesn’t feel like me, either. No longer do I jump out of bed in the morning, eager to start my day. Now I sort of roll off my mattress and slowly put my feet on the floor. I feel old and sluggish, and I don’t like it. Not one bit. The extra 10 pounds I’m carrying right now feels like 50. My preferred future, which is getting back to my “normal” size, seems like a huge mountain in the distance. I feel as if I’ll never get there.

I exercise regularly and make nutritious food choices (most of the time), but I can’t seem to lose the extra pounds. Even though I’ve never struggled with my weight, I’ve found it increasingly difficult to stay fit as I’ve gotten older. I don’t like the fact that I’m getting fluffy and soft! Some people might blame my new shape on hormones. After all, I’m in my 40s now, and supposedly a female’s body chemistry goes wacko in this season of life. I could use that excuse for my excess baggage, but I won’t. I take full responsibility for my actions.

But I wonder, How did I get here?

The answer is simple: By taking one step at a time . . . in the wrong direction.

Over the past few months, I’ve been slowly sliding into a pit of despair because of this whole weight thing. A thick blanket of shame has covered me. I’ve been crying out to God, desperate for answers. Desperate for change.

During Julia’s session, she shared a simple truth I needed to hear: “God will help you with the changes you need to make now to experience your preferred future!”

Since the conference, the Lord has given me insight into how to reduce the inflammation in my body.

Stay away from foods that are problematic for me: gluten, corn products, grains, chocolate, sugar, and nuts (especially peanuts).
Drink six to seven 8-oz glasses of water each day.
Stop eating a snack after dinner (when I’m not hungry but want something sweet).
Get back on track with strength training (3-4 times per week).
Discipline myself to eat slowly and to stop eating when I’m nearly full.
Recognize the temptation to eat when stressed and choose to do something else instead (like pray!).

What is your preferred future? Maybe you want get healthier and lose a few pounds (or a lot). Or perhaps the extra weight you’re carrying isn’t physical at all. Your marriage is falling apart and you don’t know what to do. Your child is far from God and doesn’t seem interested in spiritual things. You battle an addiction to alcohol or drugs. Whatever your struggle, you need to know that you can break free from patterns of sin. Your situation is not hopeless and not beyond God’s ability to heal.

The transformation you desire begins with one step – a move toward God. When you turn to the Lord, He will show you the way to go. He’ll provide everything you need to pursue the wonderful plans He has for your life. “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope” (Jer. 29:11 NLT).

Today you can turn your back on negative self-talk and listen to what God says about you.

Today you can refuse to be immobilized by discouragement and defeat.

Today you can stop trying to make strides in your own strength and lean on the Lord’s power.

Today you can choose a different path.

Today you can decide to take the steps necessary to achieve your dreams.

So, what are you waiting for? Get moving! Your future starts NOW!

{Stay informed about upcoming events, new Daniel Fast recipes, and my latest blog posts by subscribing to my monthly newsletter.}

In Your Anger, Do Not Sin

September 28, 2015 By Kristen Feola

Last year I saw an interesting road sign at Virginia Beach. I knew I’d use it in a blog post at some point. Well, today is the day. It’s an appropriate visual for what I experienced this afternoon.

After working on the computer for a few hours this morning, I decided to take a break. I went rollerblading. As I started out, I prayed, “Lord, you often speak to me when I’m exercising, so I’m listening.”

Boy, did I get an earful!

At about the four-mile mark, I was passed by a dark gray Acura. The man who was driving yelled, “Are you blankety-blank kidding me?! Get on the blankety-blank sidewalk!”

At first, I was offended. The street was very wide and even had a passing lane. I was practically hugging the shoulder on the right side of the road, so the car had plenty of room.

The man’s nasty words stung, but only for a few seconds. Then I started thinking, What kind of pain does he have in his heart? What’s going on in his life that caused him to scream obscenities like that?

Then it hit me. I’ve done the same thing. I’ve spoken harsh words. I’ve raised my voice for no good reason. I’ve lost my temper with strangers. And family. And friends.

I can’t judge that guy because I am that guy. And, if you’re completely honest with yourself, so are you.

Anger isn’t wrong. It’s a normal, God-given emotion. The Bible says, “In your anger do not sin” (Eph. 4:26). How you handle feelings of irritation can be destructive, though. If you spew forth venomous words when you’re upset, that is sin. When the guy in the car screamed at me, he was essentially saying, “You’re in MY way. I’m more important than you are, and I’m going to let you know it!”

Human beings are naturally self-centered. We tend to think of ourselves first in most situations, and when someone threatens our comfort, we tend to get a little miffed. Sometimes a lot miffed.

The only way to respond rightly when angry is to stop thinking about yourself. Turn to God in those heated moments, and rely on His power. He will give you strength to resist the temptation to lash out and teach you to develop self-control.

Think about how you’ve spoken today. Have your words been life giving? Or have they caused deep wounds in the people around you?

Choose to follow God’s standard for your conversations: “Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them” (Eph. 4:29 NLT).

You can be angry and not sin. With God’s help, you can.

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