Posted on September 8, 2023 by Elizabeth Welte in Victory Call
He’s at it again. Ed Welch has a way of writing things that is annoyingly challenging. In one of his recent books, “A Small Book about a Big Problem[i]” Ed makes this statement “Today, consider why you can say thank you to the Lord. Then say it to him, and aim for a handful of thank you’s to other people. You will find yourself less angry.”(Pg 63).
That got me thinking… if anger is “a strong feeling of displeasure and usually of antagonism[ii]“(antagonism: opposition of a conflicting force, tendency, or principle[iii]) then it means when we are angry we are opposing someone or something, there is discord, disunity, disagreement.
Human trafficking makes me angry, very angry. The exploitation of another human being for one’s own purposes or pleasure is highly offensive to me and even more offensive if it is sexual exploitation of young people. I am opposed to the very idea let alone the practice. Nothing about it corresponds to my belief system. That’s one side of anger. Righteous anger, anger against evil and there is no way around it, Human Trafficking is evil at its very core.
However, how about when I get angry with my husband? It is either because we disagree or he is not meeting my expectations. “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight …? ” – James 4:1-2 This sounds pretty severe, but I used this Scripture to make the point. We get angry because our desires or expectations are not being met. It’s about me. When it’s about me it is laced with pride and self-centeredness.
What if I took the time to search, seriously search, for ways to be grateful and to actually and genuinely say thank you. It requires killing my pride and fostering humility. It would force me to think about the bigger picture (it’s not all about me – that’s humbling), recall God’s grace to me and His blessings in my life. That stubborn anger will start to dissolve. An attitude of gratitude begins a shift in focus from my desires and expectations to God’s desires and with it a change of emotion blows in.
Please do NOT hear me saying that when there is conflict at home, at work, in the family, church or community – that you should plaster on a smile and whistle a happy tune. This is not about avoiding conflict but facing and dealing with our own sinful anger before seeking to resolve conflict. It’s getting-the-plank-out-of-our-own- eye kind of thing.
You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye. Matthew 7:5
Thank you. Simple words with power.
Lord, please make me thankful from the inside out.
Written by Diane Hunt: Diane Hunt serves on the board of America’s Keswick and is the Executive Director & CEO of Changed Choices, a Christian non-profit in North Carolina. She is also a biblical counselor and women’s event speaker. For more information about having Diane speak at your next event please contact her at dhunt@americaskeswick.org.
Think About This: “We are meant to be bold, courageous and strong as we do the works of Jesus. We are not supposed to blend in. We are supposed to stand out.” ― Robby Dawkins
This Week’s Verse to Memorize:“For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” Hebrews 8:10
America's Keswick Christian Retreat and Conference Center
4.8
Based on 383 reviews
America's Keswick Christian Retreat and Conference Center
4.8
Wanda Read
17:45 26 Sep 23
praise God for this place and all staff
Dinah Lopez
17:06 19 Sep 23
Beautiful property. Woodsy, nice lakes and a lot of land to explore. A great place for Christians to gather. They also have indoor auditoriums.
Andrea Rowe
01:30 18 Sep 23
Great banquet food.Great piano performance.
Melissa Williams
10:55 15 Sep 23
The warmest, most loving people working together on a mission of love for the Lord. This place is a treasure and I look forward to going every chance I get.
marilyn clinton
09:26 10 Sep 23
Food is not great.
Linda Hamadyk
04:54 10 Sep 23
The entertainment was excellent. The servers were great enjoyed my evening.
Raquel Perez
13:04 03 Sep 23
Amazing, relaxing, friendly and the most important part, the presence of God!!!
Doug Anderson
11:39 29 Aug 23
Had an amazing experience here for two nights!Stayed in the newly renovated rooms - very nice and clean.Amazing and helpful staff, maintenance, chaplains, etc.Everyone is very warm and friendly.Student summer staff were joyful and... respectful.They really take care of pastors and all of their guests.Such an atmosphere of hope, healing and restoration! Highly recommend for personal and group retreats.read more
Albert Spangler
14:15 25 Aug 23
This is an amazing place where you can feel God's presence and find peace.
Carol Swill
05:06 24 Aug 23
America's keseick is a wonderful place of peace and restoration. The combination of the physical and emotional feeding, together with the bible conference really works.I loved the Bible studies, and i loved the 'vacation stuff'- the pool, the... beach, the games,the music, walking around the lake- it all worked togetherread more
Karen Downs
18:43 31 Jul 23
Awesome place. Great place for children and awesome place to relax and enjoy
Richard Donato
18:14 14 Jul 23
Great place
Rubbins St Louis
18:57 12 Jul 23
Great place to visit and have fellowship with other believers. I love taking in God's word.
Loida Rojas LLM
06:03 04 Jul 23
They need to remodel all the dorms
Vince Dizol
04:56 26 Jun 23
Beautiful retreat center. You can feel the presence of God in the beauty of His natural creation in this place! Great pool and jacuzzi area as well as basketball / volleyball court!
Google Rating
4.8
Based on 383 reviews
America's Keswick Christian Retreat and Conference Center
4.8
Wanda Read
17:45 26 Sep 23
praise God for this place and all staff
Dinah Lopez
17:06 19 Sep 23
Beautiful property. Woodsy, nice lakes and a lot of land to explore. A great place for Christians to gather. They also have indoor auditoriums.
Andrea Rowe
01:30 18 Sep 23
Great banquet food.Great piano performance.
Melissa Williams
10:55 15 Sep 23
The warmest, most loving people working together on a mission of love for the Lord. This place is a treasure and I look forward to going every chance I get.
marilyn clinton
09:26 10 Sep 23
Food is not great.
Linda Hamadyk
04:54 10 Sep 23
The entertainment was excellent. The servers were great enjoyed my evening.
Raquel Perez
13:04 03 Sep 23
Amazing, relaxing, friendly and the most important part, the presence of God!!!
Doug Anderson
11:39 29 Aug 23
Had an amazing experience here for two nights!Stayed in the newly renovated rooms - very nice and clean.Amazing and helpful staff, maintenance, chaplains, etc.Everyone is very warm and friendly.Student summer staff were joyful and... respectful.They really take care of pastors and all of their guests.Such an atmosphere of hope, healing and restoration! Highly recommend for personal and group retreats.read more
Albert Spangler
14:15 25 Aug 23
This is an amazing place where you can feel God's presence and find peace.
Carol Swill
05:06 24 Aug 23
America's keseick is a wonderful place of peace and restoration. The combination of the physical and emotional feeding, together with the bible conference really works.I loved the Bible studies, and i loved the 'vacation stuff'- the pool, the... beach, the games,the music, walking around the lake- it all worked togetherread more
Karen Downs
18:43 31 Jul 23
Awesome place. Great place for children and awesome place to relax and enjoy
Richard Donato
18:14 14 Jul 23
Great place
Rubbins St Louis
18:57 12 Jul 23
Great place to visit and have fellowship with other believers. I love taking in God's word.
Loida Rojas LLM
06:03 04 Jul 23
They need to remodel all the dorms
Vince Dizol
04:56 26 Jun 23
Beautiful retreat center. You can feel the presence of God in the beauty of His natural creation in this place! Great pool and jacuzzi area as well as basketball / volleyball court!