How Does Anger Build Emotional Walls?

That anger is an emotional wall-builder is hard to dispute. Anger is a defensive measure designed to protect oneself against what is interpreted as threatening, physically or emotionally. Everyone is vulnerable when a threat is detected, so emotional walls are built in an attempt to be safe and protected.

Emotional walls are distance-creators for those of us who do not trust intimacy. Some walls are so expertly designed, they keep God at a distance and successfully stave off any attempt by him to reach our heart and soul. Yet we yearn to be changed and molded into something useful by him.

Listen, as Carl Sandburg offers himself to God in his poem, Prayers of Steel. “Lay me on an anvil, O God. Beat and hammer me into a crowbar. Let me pry loose old walls.” God’s love is the crowbar that eradicates the walls of anger and fear. He replaces these old walls with trust and peace. Trust God to do this.  I’m Olen Baker. 

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For [Christ] himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility…

~Ephesians 2:14 New International Version

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Celebrating Christmas with Peace and Hope

It’s true. These past months have presented difficult challenges. However today the Gospel hymn, “Send the Light,” encourages us to pray and celebrate because God’s grace abounds, making the light of Christ Jesus clearly visible for us to experience. God sends the light, and it shines in the deepest darkness giving us hope, peace and courage.

The Holy Spirit directs us to turn our eyes upon Jesus, looking full into his wonderful face so “the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of his glory and grace.” What a privilege it is to permit the light of Christ Jesus to penetrate our heart and soul with peace and hope. Merry Christmas and God bless you. 

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For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace! Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.

Isaiah 9:6-7 New International Version

 

Suddenly many other angels came down from heaven and joined in praising God. They said: “Praise God in heaven! Peace on earth to everyone who pleases God.”

~Luke 2:13-14 Contemporary English Version

 

For he himself is our peace.

~Ephesians 2:14 New American Standard Bible

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Breaking Down Walls of Confinement

A false sense of self-confidence builds a bridge to conflict when it includes an assumption that those with whom we share a relationship need to be dominated and controlled. Scare tactics and fear are the usual means for obtaining dominance and control. This form of leadership does not elicit trust and faith.

While every family needs boundaries as instituted by God’s word, special consideration must be given to individual differences as well as freedom of choice when appropriate. Creating dependency through an inordinate need to dominate will ultimately bring about the need to escape what is defined as emotional captivity.

Too much rigidity builds walls of confinement which stifle love and appreciation that should be freely expressed in a family. The Apostle Paul assures us that Jesus Christ, who is our peace, can break down dividing walls of hostility when we surrender to his plan and purpose for us. Jesus said, “Come to me you who are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest.”  

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May the God of hope fill you will all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

~ Romans 15:13 New International Version