Master It!

We all fight temptation. When our expectations aren’t met, it’s easy for us to feel attacked, angry, undervalued, unseen, trampled on, etc.

Here's a couple of quick examples of how I’ve experienced this recently. I have a membership that I’ve purchased. This membership is supposed to give me advantages in getting into the venue without the hassle or wait and other advantages. However, I’ve had several experiences that have not met the expectation I was given when I purchased the membership. Another example of this is with a business I’ve dealt with. Externally, they presented a good front so my expectation was to have an easy experience. Instead, they've been difficult to deal with.

One thing is for sure, me getting upset and angry wouldn't help either situation. It was much more helpful and encouraging to those around me for me to keep calm, wait with patience, and let things get worked out.

We must master the emotions, temptations, fleshly desires, and responses. If we are members of the Kingdom of Christ, chosen people of God, Brothers, and Sisters of Jesus, the first fruit of the resurrection, then we must be the master over our world, our body, our emotions. No one can make you feel a certain way. You can choose to let their actions make you feel a certain way but ultimately, the way you reacted was your choice, not theirs.

“Time passed. Cain brought an offering to GOD from the produce of his farm. Abel also brought an offering, but from the firstborn animals of his herd, choice cuts of meat. GOD liked Abel and his offering, but Cain and his offering didn’t get his approval. Cain lost his temper and went into a sulk.

GOD spoke to Cain: “Why this tantrum? Why the sulking? If you do well, won’t you be accepted? And if you don’t do well, sin is lying in wait for you, ready to pounce; it’s out to get you, you’ve got to master it.”

Genesis 4:3-7 MSG

God told Cain “you’ve got to master it.” Speaking about his temper, anger, and attitude.

I took my daughter bowling last night. We had a great time. At one point she was getting very frustrated because she wasn’t doing very well. Her frustration made the moment less fun and made her performance worse. She was throwing gutter balls and her frustration was growing. She ended up gaining her composure, having a great night, and bowling better. We can often be like her and ruin an event, a relationship, or an experience all because we don’t “master it”.

We must not only look and act like we have it mastered on the outside by having a good face and a good filter. We must do everything we can and pray for God to help us be good, loving, kind, and patient on the inside. It’s what’s inside that comes out that makes us clean or unclean.

Let’s pray and ask God to help us master it.

Pray with me in this way: God, please help me to take hold of my anger, my disposition, my temptation, and master it. Please fill me with your truth, your word, and your power. I can do it with your help. You are powerful and I am week. Please fill me with your power today. Amen!

Intend to Live