Day 3: Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger...
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice (Ephesians 4:31).
Our Father in heaven, You are holy and righteous “There is no one holy like the Lord; there is no one besides You..." (1 Samuel 2:2).
Yet through Your great love and Your amazing grace You invite us to be reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:20) and to be holy in all we do because "He who called you is holy," and has commanded us, "Be holy because I am holy" (1 Peter 1:15-16).
Father, so many times we mistakenly believe that You only touch our lives in what we consider to be "spiritual ways." But we are not fragmented beings, and You pour Your grace over all who we are.
Today we offer to You every part of our makeup for healing and renewal. You have shown us that as You work in us, we are made new in the attitude of our minds (Ephesians 4:23). Your transforming power reaches every part of our being—including our mental and emotional health, well-being, and restoration—as well as our relational attitudes and outlook.
The apostle Paul describes in his letter to Titus the state we are in before the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared:
At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another (Titus 3:3-4).
But in Your great mercy, You change our lives and bring us renewal by the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5). Through the Spirit's enabling power, we are able to get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice (Ephesians 4:31).
Father, thank You for the protections inherent in Your precepts and commands. You know the havoc created by destructive emotions on our own minds and bodies, and You know the toll on relationships, communities, and societies. Grow us in Your grace, enabling us to leave destructive passions behind.
As we encounter challenge, difficulty, and conflict in our homes, our jobs, and in all our relationship contexts, teach us to interact with love and grace—not with misguided weakness and timid agreement, but with true meekness, sincere humility, tactful sensitivity, clear-sighted strength, gracious yielding, and godly submission.
Help us to follow the example of Jesus, who modeled for us humility and authority, tenderness and strength, respect and truth, love and accountability.
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