Last Week's Mid Week Epistole - Do You know the Enemy? By Jim Massey

Do You Know the Enemy?

Yesterday was the fifth anniversary of 9-11. We remember the horror of that day and have even felt deep anger. Many people have gone to the point of really disliking someone or something so violently that they simply do not want to be in the presence of other people. A hatred like that seems to boil over and even the words that come out of your mouth are something that you never thought you would say.
I can think of other times when people have felt that way. It is hard to live in this high-pressure world without encountering problems that just seem to go completely against everything we know is right.
There is a story of a military outpost in World War I that received a dispatch informing them that war had been declared and they were to arrest all enemy aliens in their district.
Can you imagine the consternation in London when the following message was promptly received:
“Have arrested ten Germans, six Belgians, four Frenchmen, two Italians, three Austrians, and an American. Please advise immediately who we are at war with.”
Our anger can have the same problem. We have to know who or what makes us angry. When that happens, then we can begin to focus on a solution.
If it is a person, I do not think there is anyone who hates someone’s body. The arms, legs, head, all are just a part of our natural make-up. If we hate that, there is not much we can do to change it. But if it is our actions that causes someone to dislike us, then we can look at these things and bring some change to the solution.
So the next time you are angry, pause just a moment and try to find out what you are really angry about. Then when you go to God in prayer and ask Him for help, the task does not seem so impossible. You see, God loves the individual much more than the things we do. Isn’t that Good News?

Eternal Father, we realize that we are not the first ones in this world to ever be angry. Help us to realize that our anger can destroy not only those around us, but ourselves as well. Let us find the strength and love of God as we turn our anger over to your loving and healing presence. In the blessed name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

This has been Rev. Jim Massey. Join me next week when we will find how truly focusing on all our life will bring us true blessings in the end.