How to Win Without Being Wicked (Part 2 of 4)

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"Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil." (Psalm 37:3-8).

We have in this scripture a simple and beautiful truth, which provides us with a powerful resource against the destructive forces of anger. Here is how the plan works.

When you find yourself caught in the throws of a raging onslaught, which stirs your heart to the boiling point of saying or doing something that will hurt those who have hurt you – take a few steps back and re-center your life with these five power-packed words.

#1 Trust – this is a verb signifying confidence. It expresses the feeling of safety and security that is comes when one can rely on someone or something else. When others have failed you miserably, and everything in you wants to get even – stop and remind yourself of how faithful the Lord has been in your life.

#2 Delight – this word means to take delight and pleasure in God; it has the sense of making merry, jesting at someone. It speaks of friendship at so deep a level that you can give and receive friendly banter. “Delight” is the light-hearted converse that distracts a heavy-hearted soul from the weight of its burdens.

Notice before we go any further that #2 is the proof that you have done #1.

You cannot and will not “delight” in someone that you do not “trust.” So, if you would cease from anger and break the stronghold it has on your heart and mind – start at step one and trust the Lord with the situation. Trust Him until you are distracted with delight in Him.

We will pick up here tomorrow….
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