Dark Places .

Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things.  See how great a forest a little fire kindles!  And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity.  The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles tthe whole body, and sets onn fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.  For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind.  But no man can tame the tongue, it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.  With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God.  Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing.  My brethren, these things ought not to be so.
James 3: 5 -10 NKJV

How much damage have we done with our words of wrath to those around us?  Angry words have caused arguments, disolved marriages and started wars.  I can't think of ever a possitive outcome of words spoken in anger.  Some say that angry words are more of a weapon than a knife or gun, at times I'm inclined to agree.  For the deep wounds we inflict upon another with words of anger can have lasting effects on the target of our anger.  Some may hold lifelong grudges while others may not rest until their revenge is taken.  Such is the toll of our words spoken in anger.  There are times when I would much rather face a swift death than the consequences of anothers anger, for at least death ends our pain quickly.  We may not realize it at the time, but our angry words often take their toll not only on our intended victim but also on those around us.   Can we fill ourselves with such anger and wrath that it will not eventually spill out to affect others in our lives?  Fill a balloon with too much air and it will eventually explode, such it is with our anger.  For those who hold their anger within, the toll may be even greater.  Not only will the intended target of  their anger be affected, but we also may feel the effects of our own anger.  We may experience  everything from increased stress and anxiety to numerous physical symptoms.  None of this is good for us.  So, we may ask ourselves just why we lash out at those around us.  Worse yet, we may ask ourselves why we lash out at those closest to us.  Speaking from personal experience, I may feel justified in sometimes directing my anger at others, but when the smoke clears I end up resenting the person I had become.  Certainly, this is not the man God intends me to be, and yet we go to those dark places.

Then His disciples came and said to Him, "Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?"  But He answered and said, "Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted.  Let them alone, they are blind leaders of the blind.  And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch."  Then Peter answered and said to Him, "Explain this parable  to us."  So Jesus said, "Are you still without understanding?  Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated?  But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man.  For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adultries, fornications, thefts, false witness and blasphemies.  These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man.
Matthew 15: 12-20 NKJV

I can remember when I was growing up having a fear of dark places.  Whether it was too many horror movies or ghost stories, when I was faced with a dark room or place, I was often paralyzed with fear expecting the worst to happen at any moment.  Of course, nothing ever did and I eventually outgrew my fear.  However, to  this day I remember lying in my bed at night staring at my nightlight and wondering just what dangers lurked in those dark places around me.   One thing was certain, if I  stayed calm and thought of something other than my fears, morning eventually came.  I think that this approach can have alot to do with how we handle those dark places our anger brings us to.  For if our focus is on something other than our anger in the heat of the moment, we may very well think clearly enough to restrain our words of wrath that may hurt others around us.  Yes, this sounds too good to be true when confronted by a angry co worker or neighbor, but we often never take the time needed to weigh the consequences of such situations anyway.

Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh.  Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet we know Him thus no longer.  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
2 Corinthians 5: 16-17 NKJV

Suprisingly, we christians also have that nightlight within us to illuminate those dark places of our anger that we might not go there after all.  That "Light" is none other than Christ Jesus, who despite plenty of opportunities to seek anger and wrath on those who persecuted and ultimately crucified Him, chose instead to avoid those dark places of His flesh and instead exhibited the love and mercy of God to those around Him.  This "Light of the world" in Jesus can be our help in those times when we are beckoned into those dark places where only our anger, hatred and wrath survive.  Be Jesus!

~Scott~