“In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold” (Ephesians 4:26-27).

The first thing I want you to see about the verse of the day is that you can be angry and be a Christian. There are times when anger is quite appropriate. When you see injustice, holiness being mocked, evil it would be wrong not to be angry.

It’s quite possible to be holy and angry. That’s why God tells us not to sin in our anger.

How do we do that? God tells us, “Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.” What God is saying, is that instead of letting anger simmer, go to God in prayer and give it to him. Let God deal with your angst and anger. Give it to him. Don’t hold on to your anger. Your anger will do you no good as it simmers inside you. Let it go.

After you’ve given your anger to God, do everything you can to reconcile. If you were wrong, admit it and apologize.

When we hold on to our anger, not only is that unhealthy, but it gives the devil a powerful foothold in our lives. The thing about footholds is that they are almost impossible to dislodge. Don’t give the devil this opportunity.

When angry, go to God in prayer and give God your anger. Then seek reconciliation.

Epictetus was a Greek philosopher from around two thousand years ago. He wrote:

If someone tried to take control of your body and make you a slave, you would fight for freedom. Yet, how easily you hand over your mind to anyone who insults you. When you dwell on their words, and let them dominate your thoughts, you make them your master.

Epictetus is right. You would fight to the death if someone tried to enslave your body. Yet we give our minds over to others all the time. Take back control of your mind. Take control of your peace.

Give your anger to God in prayer. Seek reconciliation.

“This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live” (Deuteronomy 30:19).

Hmmm. What a tough choice. What should I choose?

Life or death? Blessings or curses?

Duh!!! Right? Why is this even a choice? Who wouldn’t want life instead of death, blessings over curses?

How is this even a choice? Of course everyone chooses life and blessings.

Hmmm. You think so?

We all know that our spiritual life and relationship with Jesus is of the utmost importance. We know we ought to pray, read God’s word, and spend time with God daily. We know that worship ought to be of the utmost importance. We know we ought to be serving God and his people.

We all know that good health is important. We know that we should watch our sugar intake, exercise regularly, and make sure we get plenty of sleep and rest.

We all know that good quality time is essential for a healthy marriage.

How are you doing on choosing life and blessing?

This is such a no brainer. Yet why do we keep messing around with stuff that will lead to death and curses? Why do we mess around with sin, laziness, selfishness? Why do we waste our time that will never contribute to health, life, and blessing?

What is wrong with us?

So, listen to God’s word again. “I have set before you life and death, blessing and curses. Choose life!”

It is in the small daily decisions of time management and priorities that we put into practice choosing life.

Friends, choose life! It would be ludicrous to do otherwise.

“Take my yoke upon you, for my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:30).

I’ve always loved this verse. I’ve always loved this verse because it’s so comforting. I loved the idea that the yoke Jesus offers is easy and the burden is light. I am all about easy and light.

After having lived for 53 years, I now know I’ve been completely wrong about this verse.

What I wanted was easy and light. I would love for easy and light to be the theme of my life. That would be great. But, as you know, that’s not life. Not on this planet.

What I failed to realize is that it’s still a yoke. Yokes bind. Yokes are burdensome. Yokes restrict. Yokes are always hard and heavy. Basically, yokes kinda suck.

So, what does Jesus mean when he says, “Take my yoke upon you, for my yoke is easy and my burden light”?

I don’t think easy and light have to do with weight and girth. I think what Jesus is saying is, not that yoke stops being a yoke, but that because the yoke under Jesus now is purposeful, that the yoke under Jesus is borne out of love makes it easy and light.

You see, when I have to carry a load because I have to I guarantee that load will be heavy and burdensome. If I have to carry a load without knowing why, that load will always be heavy and hard to bear. But if the load I carry is for my beloved, for someone I cherish, that changes everything. I gladly bear that load. Knowing the purpose, having love be the reason changes everything.

It’s still a yoke. It’s still hard and heavy. But it is not burdensome nor purposeless. Knowing the purpose makes the yoke meaningful. Love changes everything!