Nehemiah 1:1-11; 13:1-14
Do you ever feel like there's this unspoken rule that as a Christian you shouldn't get angry or get in someone's face? Because I sure do. Yet, when I read Nehemiah 13, that's exactly what I see. The fact of the matter is that as long as we're human and breathing (that's all of us), we are going to have to deal with tensions and anger.
So what does this passage show us about the role anger and/or confrontation can play both in and outside the Body? Tami W.
Getting angry is a natural emotion. How we act when we are angry is another thing. Don't get spitfull with your mouth and express what is making you angry and stay on the topic. If you find yourself getting out of control with your mouth or your actions just shut up and go decompress somewhere on your own till you can talk about it. Don't be cussing or swearing or being abusive, Control and disicipline yourself in how you react, and are you reacting justly not out of selfish reasons also. You need to maintain respect for each other. I am so thankfull that my husband and I made an agreement that we would never get spitfull or name calling or swearing at each other. We have kept that agreement and we have been married 25 years in april. Granit their has been times we have gotten angry with each other but we can express what we are angry about and we stay on topic. If we find ourselves not listening to each other we both shut up and decompress and then come back to it again later and talk about it. We both have seen to many couples belittle and get so spitfull with each other and they all ended in divorce. Once it is said you find it hard to forget, but we can forgive. Dicipline yourself and self control respect each other and always keep in mind our actions and our heavenly farther. Keeps you out of troubel and regrets.
This is a perfect example of how to pray! I love how Nehemiah goes through the steps of Adoration, Confession, and Supplication. This might just be what I needed to get started strengthening my prayer life! Nehemiah used the energy supplied by his anger to set things right. He didn't rant and rave. He cleaned house and gave orders for others to help him make everything right.
Anger outside of the Body will usually end of with a lot of negative feelings and words being thrown back and forth. Anger inside of the Body should be different. As Christians, people think because we carry our Bibles and deal kindly with others that we are subject to be taken for granted. However, we can and should confront those who make us angry, not talk to everyone else about the situation, which causes a bigger problem.
When Nehemiah saw that Tobiah had a room, Nehemiah didn't consult with Eliashib, he removed Tobiah and his things. Nehemiah didn't waste words. He had already sought The Lord for Jerusalem. He didn't back down, he just handled this situation and to ensure that this didn't occur again, Nehemiah placed trusted individuals in charge to ensure that the Word of God was observed.
Lastly, we should pray for those inside and outside of the Body who cause us to be angry. We should resolve every situation as soon as possible. We should confront when necessary and stray from presenting a testimony that will harm The Kingdom. Sometimes we give a testimony just by our actions towards others and our interaction with others.
Just because we are in this world doesn't mean we have to act like the world.