The Mirror of Anger

“And all of us have had that veil removed so that we can be mirrors that brightly reflect the glory of the Lord. And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more.” 2 Corinthians 3:18

If you were a walking mirror, and on one side you looked in and the other side was the reflection, what would people see as you came towards them?  Would they see the world, sin, and self, or would they see Jesus?

She was the wife who had it all…until her husband left her for another woman.

His didn’t begin until his best friend got the promotion over him and started receiving all the attention.

Hers began at an early age toward her sister who was always better at everything.

Theirs began when they lost their first child to cancer.

His began when a drunk driver hit and killed his wife and daughter.

Hers took root when she felt that first punch, slap across the face.

Hers began when the sexual predator robbed her of her purity.

Theirs began when he stopped being respected and when she stopped feeling loved.

His began because of the lack of affection and attention he received from his dad growing up.

His began when he realized nothing he did was ever good enough.

Hers took root when her mom kept telling her she was to fat and asking why she wasn’t like so and so.

There are many reasons we pick up the mirror of anger and to some good reason, but to those of us who pick it up out of jealousy, envy, and self…not so good, actually not good at all.

When we look into this mirror we might have a smile on our face but the reflection shows what the inside of us looks like; bitter, annoyed, hurt, mad, jealous, and self-focused. Why, because our thoughts are consumed with the things and people that have offended us and from our thoughts come our attitude and from our attitude come’s our actions. The more we are around the people and things that anger us the longer we hold this mirror and the deeper anger takes root, thus making it even harder to put the mirror down.

The book of James sums up the mirror of anger well, “What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you? You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. And even when you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong-you want only what will give you pleasure.” James 4:1-2

Would that pretty much sum up why you have been carrying the mirror of anger around?

The mirror of anger reflects a person who is lacking in mercy, grace, and forgiveness, all of which is the complete opposite of Christ.

When one picks up and holds this mirror they should remind themselves of the mercy, love and forgiveness they receive daily from Christ.

Prayer: Lord forgive us for picking up this mirror so often. Remind us of the mercy and love You give us each day. Most of all Father may we be reminded that we are not a mistake and that we are never alone. May we look to You for the attention, comfort, healing, and peace we need. Lord help us to take our thoughts captive and act of Your word and not our feelings. Amen