Righteous Anger? NOPE

By now, I’m sure most of you have seen or heard about what happened in the opening of the Olympic Games. Whether you believe this was a direct slam toward Christians or not, it was in this blogger's mind a very poor choice to display to both adults and children.

My heart has physically ached these past few days because of this, but at the same time I want to say … GOOD!  The world is proving even more-so that what the Bible says is true.

Days before that whole debacle I’d answered a question on Facebook. The question was, “Using the first letter of your name … what is something that makes you happy?” The first word that entered my mind was PROPHECY. 

That may sound strange, but perhaps you’ve heard, “I’ve read the back of the book, and we win.”

I was much younger when I first heard that in a song, and it has stuck with me and gives me peace.

When I see the escalating hatred (because lets face it, that is happening) for everything involving Christianity, it pains my heart and soul. But my unwavering belief that Jesus came to earth to die for my sins, His resurrection on the third day, and His place in heaven as He prepares a place for me is even stronger.

Bottom line? He is my Saviour. He is my Lord. He knows exactly what's going on. He is the one who humbled himself, and endured incredible suffering for all of us. 

He loves and will embrace anyone who calls on His name.

I asked someone if they believed in righteous anger. They answered “yes”, and I agreed. 

Truthfully, my anger flared in a not-so-righteous way as I reviewed that part of the opening of the Olympic Games. Whether they meant to make fun of the Last Supper, or it really was meant as a portrayal of a Greek Dionysus Feast, it hurt my heart to see that disgusting display.

Perhaps dangerous to admit, but in truth it wasn’t “righteous” anger I initially felt that day. Rather, an instant loathing toward the people who condoned this, and the people parading around in that image, came over me.  But then ... almost instantly ... I felt ashamed, knowing that the feelings I had toward these lost people held all kinds of wrong.

Very quickly my abhorrence passed as I thought again of Jesus--hanging on that cross--and the incredible words He said. “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”  (Luke 23:34 - KJV)

Even in his worst and most painful moments, Jesus begged God to FORGIVE the very human beings who were murdering Him—the perfect Son of God.

My point is … none of this should surprise Christians. It has all been written down and the world is simply proving the Bible's truth. There's a long list, and more, that explains exactly what's happening today, and it was all penned thousands of years ago. I'm just surprised when people don't want to check that out.

As I ask forgiveness for my not-so-righteous anger, I need to keep praying for those who clearly need God's gift of freedom and peace. After all, love is why Jesus came. 

In all the disarray and disgruntlement that is in our world, we can rest in the knowledge that Jesus died so that we might have LIFE!  REAL LIFE—in HIM.  

Isaiah 12:2 (NASB1995) "Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation."

I pray that everyone reading this today has found the freedom that only Christ can provide.

God bless you!

Pattie Janzen

If you have any questions or prayer requests please contact me from this website, or directly at pdjanz11@gmail.com

The WINNER of the FREE BOOK is ... (this is where a drum roll should be) ... Mildred D. Congrats to you!!