Anger

2 Kings 5:-14

“13 But his servants approached and said to him [Naaman], “Father, if the prophet had commanded you to do something difficult, would you not have done it? How much more, when all he said to you was, ‘Wash, and be clean’?” 14 So he went down and immersed himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the word of the man of God [Elisha]; his flesh was restored like the flesh of a young boy, and he was clean.”

Elisha, through a messenger, told Naaman to bathe in the Jordan River seven times in order to be healed of leprosy.  Naaman thought he should have been healed by the prophet, Elisha, himself.   So he turned away in anger and began to leave. 

Naaman was ready to walk away from God’s healing because he was angry. His servants stopped him and persuaded him to do as Elisha had requested.  He immersed himself seven times in the Jordan River and was healed.

Emotions such as anger interfere with our relationship with God.  During times of anger we are unable to discern the voice of God and be led by His spirit.  

“You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; for your anger does not produce God’s righteousness.” (James 1:19-20) 

May the love of Christ be with you,

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)