THE HEART WHO CAN KNOW IT?

There are so many things in this world that hinders us from showing real love. It can be pride, selfishness, hurt, and a multitude of other emotions.

There are different characteristics for love and anger.

Love is defined as,

affection based on admiration or benevolence; a warm attachment, enthusiasm, or devotion, UNSELFISH CONCERN THAT FREELY ACCEPTS ANOTHER IN LOYALTY AND SEEKS HIS GOOD:

Anger is defined as:

A strong feeling of displeasure and usually of antagonism; Anger is the general term for the emotional reaction of extreme displeasure and suggests neither a definite degree of intensity nor a necessarily outward manifestation. Wrath may imply either rage or indignation but suggests strongly a desire or intent to avenge or punish.

Now, it is up to each of us to discern whether what we are feeling is called love or anger or even farther, is it called wrath? What characteristic are we displaying or feeling within our selves? It is thoughts for good or evil? Do they give us peace or unrest?

1PETER 3:8- 12

FINALLY, BE YE ALL OF ONE MIND, HAVING COMPASSION ONE OF ANOTHER, LOVE AS BRETHREN, BE PITIFUL, BE COURTEOUS: NOT RENDERING EVIL FOR EVIL, OR RAILING FOR RAILING: BUT CONTRARIWISE BLESSING; KNOWING THAT YE ARE THERE UNTO CALLED, THAT YE SHOULD INHERIT A BLESSING. FOR HE THAT WILL LOVE LIFE, AND SEE GOOD DAYS, LET HIM REFRAIN HIS TONGUE FROM EVIL, AND HIS LIPS THAT THEY SPEAK NO GUILE: LET HIM SEE; PEACE, AND ENSUE IT.FOR THE EYES OF THE LORD ARE OVER THE RIGHTEOUS, AND HIS EARS ARE OPEN UNTO THEIR PRAYERS; BUT THE FACE OF THE LORD IS AGAINST THEM THAT DO EVIL.

You know sometimes we think that we are hiding our love or anger toward another but it always comes out in our attitudes and actions. Others can see it whether we think that we are showing it are not. Our hearts have to be clean and pure if we want our actions and attitudes to be right.

We need to check deep into our hearts and see why there is truly anger there. Maybe we do not know the hidden sin that is causing the symptom of anger to appear for all to see. It is not a pretty sight and it can hurt many and quench the Holy Spirit and keep Him from having His work.

Love on the other hand is a beauty to behold! The actions and attitudes produce fruit that is beneficial to all. It lightens the heavy hearted, brings joy to the soul, spreads to all around a warmth that is like the sunshine. A warmth that you feel deep within.

If there is disagreement with someone, Anger, should never be the uppermost emotion in our hearts. The love should still be uppermost in all our attitudes and actions and a seeking of peace and understanding should take place quickly so that others are not harmed, maybe even permanently. Love should always over rule anger. Love should keep us stable in our attitudes and actions. Love should keep us balanced in our reactions to others. If we let anger rule in our hearts, tragedy can happen. Words can be said, actions can take place, that cause much regret and heartache. When we feel ourselves rising up inside, we should step back and ask God to keep us from sin and with that sin hurt others. To help us remember all the good things about this person, all the times that they have been such a good friend to us, all the times that they have been there when we called for them, how they have loved us.

JOHN 13:35

BY THIS SHALL ALL MEN KNOW THAT YE ARE MY DISCIPLES, IF YOU HAVE LOVE ONE TO ANOTHER.

EPHESIANS 4:2

WITH ALL LOWINESS AND MEEKNESS, WITH LONGSUFFERING, FORBEARING ONE ANOTHER IN LOVE; ENDEAVOURING TO KEEP THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT IN THE BOND OF PEACE.

This is perhaps one of our greatest responsibilities as a Christian, to show love to our brethren, to be long suffering and above all to keep the unity. For without these things how can anything else be accomplished? Let us guard our hearts , keep our hearts anger free as much as possible, far a way and let love always abide there. connie