I have been a member of A Call For Men for just over a year. Through my association with this group I have used various tools to discover and overcome issues in my life. When I was young I suffered from intense anger. It is written, “Do not be eager in your heart to be angry, for anger resides in the bosom of fools” Ecclesiastes 7:9 (ESV). Although I have been converted for several years now, sin remains. I do at times still struggle with anger.
I use the Bible to understand how God would have me to live. I use prayer that I may be given grace to live as God would have me to live. I use conversation and interaction with the members of A Call For Men to gain insight that I may be sure that I walk in the manner which glorifies God. I have borrowed a book from Richard, the founder of A Call For Men by Edward T. Welch. A Small Book About A Big Problem Meditations on Anger, Patience, and Peace (2017).
This book is a 50 day ‘walk’, looking unto myself (a mentor is following along with me), that I may discover why I get angry, what the Bible says about my anger, and how I can overcome my anger. I want to look at day seven, ‘Run Toward Wisdom’, in this blog. We have looked at material in our ACFM meetings that instructs us that in mortifying sin, in this case anger, we must also replace sin with something. Proverbs chapters 1, 2, give us instruction to seek wisdom. In these chapters the Bible is pointing us to our Lord Jesus. Chapter 3 of Proverbs shows us the rewards of wisdom.
We all know of times in our lives when our anger has brought hurt, harm, and pain. Although the life of a christian is also fraught with hurt, harm, and pain, the rewards of following Christ far outway the hurt, harm, and pain which we cause in this life because of our sin. Edward T. Welch (p. 25), wrote this, “Wisdom is anger’s opposite. With wisdom we find patience, peace, humility, self-control, and other coveted goals. At the center of wisdom is the willingness to forsake our pride and get a little lower. ‘Listen’ is wisdom’s plea (Proverbs 2:1-5). Listen to God and listen to other people”.
In my listening to God He has led me to join with, and listen to other christians. My life is not sin free. Yet, we are commanded to turn from sin – ourselves – and to God. Christianity is not designed to be lived alone. Our Lord tells us to serve those in the Church as well as those outside the Church. We at A Call For Men seek wisdom from God that we may do so.
Below is the link to the publisher of A Small Book About a Big Problem
https://newgrowthpress.com/search-results-page?q=a+small+book+about+a+big+problem