Encourage Me

Anger

​Another stage of grief is anger. You should be aware of this. Anger manifests itself in different ways. It’s not always expressed through shouting or violence. You can be going through a silent anger. The truth is you don’t know who your angry at but your angry at everyone including your loved one for leaving you. More often than not you can be angry at yourself for the feelings your experiencing. You can be feeling very envious of others who have what you once cherished, especially if they seem to be taking a relationship or a friendship for granted.

Finding ways to turn your anger into positive actions can be the best way of facing and acknowledging your loss and the gap that it has brought about in your life. Once again the place of prayer and reflection can be the opportunity you require to remove the angry feelings from your heart. Praying for those in danger, in trouble, inviting the Spirit of God to draw close to you can in itself allow you to experience the peace which cannot be explained.

Readings

  • ​Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

    Ephesians 4:31-32
    NIV

  • ​Be still before the Lord

    and wait patiently for him;

    do not fret when people succeed in their ways,

    when they carry out their wicked schemes.

    8

    Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;

    do not fret – it leads only to evil.

    For those who are evil will be destroyed,

    but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.

    Psalm 37:7-9
    NIV

  • ​Why do you complain, Jacob?

    Why do you say, Israel,

    ‘My way is hidden from the Lord;

    my cause is disregarded by my God’?

    28

    Do you not know?

    Have you not heard?

    The Lord is the everlasting God,

    the Creator of the ends of the earth.

    He will not grow tired or weary,

    and his understanding no one can fathom.

    He gives strength to the weary

    and increases the power of the weak.

    Even youths grow tired and weary,

    and young men stumble and fall;

    but those who hope in the Lord

    will renew their strength.

    They will soar on wings like eagles;

    they will run and not grow weary,

    they will walk and not be faint.

    Isaiah 40:27-31
    NIV

  • ​Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

    Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

    Philippians 4: 6-9
    NIV

  • ​Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness

    LAMENTATIONS 3: 22-23
    NIV

  • ​For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God, that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

    Romans 8: 38-39
    NIV

Prayers

  • I am not afraid of the dark

    ​Hope of the world, walk beside me and dispel my fears.

    I am not afraid of the dark…..

    When you allow the moon and a million stars

    to reflect the magic and wonders of the universe.

    I am not afraid of the dark……

    When you create a night sky

    for your creatures to wander safely and survive.

    I am not afraid of the dark…..

    As slowly a future awakens

    on the other side of the world.

    I am not afraid of the dark…..

    When you grant me peaceful slumbers and dreams

    of a past full of good memories and a hopeful future.

    I am not afraid of the dark……

    When you restore my heart and rescue my soul

    to absorb the energy of a promising new dawn.

    I am not afraid….in You I trust.

    Amen

  • Ever-present love

    ​Almighty God, draw me to you so that I may be united with your Spirit.

    Be patient with me when I fail to notice the beauty and goodness of your world.

    When I close my ears to your whispers of love and comfort, forgive me.

    Teach me to love and serve only you.

    When my thoughts are self-centred – when I give way to self-pity – when I act through self-interest – remind me of your readiness to forgive.

    Undeserving as I am, you give me strength and comfort, dear Lord.

    Keep me safe in these times of upset and turmoil.

    Comfort me when I am sad and lonely.

    Assure me of your ever present love through the unseen companionship of the Holy Spirit.

    Amen

  • In time....

    ​Powerful God,

    Shape our humanity to the likeness of your Son,

    so that everything we think and say and do may show the influence of his Spirit and bear the imprint of your mark.

    Then bring to bear upon our sad condition, the integrity we find in Jesus

    whose actions were at one with your Word –

    whose love was at one with your mercy.

    When our beautiful world is broken in pieces, remind us that where suffering is, you are.

    When we are inconsolable, angry, bereft and experiencing guilt –

    Aching for wholeness and peace

    Restore us.

    Loving and life-giving God

    Jesus showed us the way

    we know what he knew

    but we struggle Lord and it is hard.

    We know that new life followed His death

    And that for the world to live

    The old ways must die first.

    We praise and honour you.

    Amen

  • A new day

    ​May this day be a day of encouragement and blessing, Lord

    A new day

    A new week

    A time to leave behind painful lessons.

    Let me not concentrate on the pain and past events that leave impressions on me

    Impressions which colour my thoughts

    My thoughts……………………..

    Of doubt

    Of fear

    Of hatred

    Of anger

    Help me break out from negative thoughts and attitudes

    Break out from the vicious circle, from negativity and from impurity

    Show me your way, Lord

    The only way

    Amen

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