Old Fiona

Read: Ephesians 4:1-6

"There goes Old Faithful!” Corbin said as they watched hot water burst from the ground and shoot high into the air. He and his sister Fiona were showing their aunt a video Corbin had made on their vacation to Yellowstone National Park. “The park ranger said the rock deep underground is so hot it heats the spring water,” said Corbin.

“And then it reaches its boiling point and boils up and shoots out of the ground,” added Fiona.

After their aunt had left, Fiona and Corbin got out a game. “You lose!” Corbin said after they played a little while. “You’re not allowed to make that move!”

“I am too!” said Fiona. But Corbin wouldn’t agree, and the two started arguing. Finally, Fiona pushed back her chair. “You make me so mad!”

“What did I do?” Corbin asked.

“Tons of things!” Fiona’s voice grew louder. “You cheat, you used my bike without asking, you embarrassed me in front of my friends, and you spilled juice on my homework. I hate you!” She ran to her bedroom and slammed the door. Then she opened it and slammed it again.

Corbin followed Mom to Fiona’s room. “You know we don’t slam doors,” Mom said. “And that angry outburst was not pretty.”

“Yeah,” said Corbin. “You erupted with more force than Old Faithful.” He grinned. “Hey, I know! I’ll call you Old Fiona.”

“Corbin, go to your room,” said Mom. “I’ll talk to you later.” When he had left, she turned back to Fiona. “Corbin does have a point.”

“But he’s mean!” said Fiona. “He’d make anybody mad!”

“We all have feelings of anger at times,” said Mom. “We need to deal with them, not just let them build up and burst out. One way to deal with your anger is to talk to the person who made you angry and explain what’s bothering you. Don’t store up angry feelings and grudges. Make an effort to make peace and be friends.”

“I don’t think Corbin would listen, so why even bother?” asked Fiona.

“Give him a chance,” said Mom. “And be willing to forgive. Remember that Jesus has forgiven you for all your wrongs and will help you forgive and love others. A loving relationship with anyone is always worth the effort.”

–Nance E. Keyes

How about you? What do you do with your anger? Do you keep it inside and let it build up into bitterness and resentment? Does it erupt in angry words and hurtful actions? Don’t let it do that! Talk with the person who made you angry, and if necessary, tell an adult how you feel. Then trust God to help you deal with your anger and be willing to forgive.

Today's Key Verse “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. (NIV) Ephesians 4:26

Today's Key Thought Don’t store up angry feelings