THE UPPER ROOM DAILY DEVOTIONAL 25 AUGUST 2024, SUNDAY MESSAGE
TOPIC: A Response to Anger
Today’s Reading
James 1:19-20
Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools. – Ecclesiastes 7:9 (NIV)
Today’s Message
I recently called the customer service department of an online merchant regarding a faulty item I had purchased. But first, I had to listen to a recording advising me to choose from several options. Then, I was put on hold for a long time while listening to some very poor quality music. Finally, my call was transferred to another department, only to be disconnected. I had to start all over. By the time I was finally able to reach a helpful person, I was angry and demanding.
But then I caught myself and realized that I was not behaving as a loving Christian should. Had I also made the customer service representative angry? Had I hurt her feelings? A quick apology was all it took for me to establish a friendly conversation with the representative. After all, she had not made me angry; the process had made me angry. In Ephesians 4:26, Paul says, “Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.”
Although my days may not always be pleasant, I can choose to respond to adversity with words, attitudes, and actions that demonstrate Christian love.
Today’s Prayer
Thank you, God, for your calming presence in our lives. Help us to reflect your love in the way we treat others. It is in the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
Thought for the Day
My words, attitudes, and actions should always reflect God’s love.
Prayer Focus
Customer service representatives
The Upper Room Daily Devotional 25 August 2024 Message. The Upper Room is a daily devotional magazine published in more than 30 languages and 100 countries around the world. The daily meditations are written by readers of the magazine and others interested in sharing their faith experiences through writing—both laity and clergy, published authors and new writers. The meditations are stories of real people working to live faithfully with the Bible as their touchstone. Every day, readers of The Upper Room around the world read the same story in many different languages and pray the same prayer together. Read More