Penalty Yards at Critcal Times.

My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.

(James 1:19-20)

Being an avid Baltimore Ravens fan, I cannot help but attribute these words to the officials! Bear with me a bit . . .

When officials seem to be blind or otherwise watching some other game than the one they are calling, it is easy to become angry. To my wife ,it is rather amusing to watch me go through a game. The officials are always against my Ravens! But I truly have to watch the way I react, so my young son realizes it is really just a game and I am not really angry! But watch the players . . . how many react in such a foolish way as to cost their team penalty yards at critcal times.

It is similar in our lives . . . We react without thinking. We say we cannot help it . . . we are only human after all!

Yes there is a time to be angry. We must however be very careful how we react. God's reaction is justified and with pure motives. Man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires ! Man acts out of selfishness and pride. We want our way, not God's will most often. We react because we or someone else feels hurt or slighted and we want to get even, nor justice! We seldom see the entire picture and we SIN!! We cause ourselves and others to suffer penalty yards at critcal times. Unlike a game however, these penalties can cause damage for a lifetime!

Here is great advice from Paul:

In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.

(Ephesians 4:26-26)

God gives us two ears, two eyes, two feet, two hands, , two arms, two legs . . . but only ONE mouth and to top it off a two-part cage (our teeth and lips)to keep the tongue under control! We know the danger of the tongue, but also the danger of any knee-jerk reaction.

Listen carefully and long . . . survey the situation . . . get the facts . . . and pray! See what God says about things and seel Godly counsel. Then respond in such a way that brings about God's desires for our lives and others as well.

Penalty yards at critcal times can be game changers . . . and life -changers as well!

Play to win!