Last week I received a nasty email. To say I was upset would be an understatement.
I clicked reply. My fingers banging furiously on the keyboard.
First, though I deleted her email address – I was having an unedited rant that I knew couldn’t be sent.
I then sat on it for a couple of days. Having one or two imaginary conversations about what I would say to her … you know the drill. “When she says this, I’m going to say THAT!”
And I also prayed for wisdom.
And peace.
And calm.
Proverbs 18:21 – The tongue has the power of life and death, came to mind and I realized this email was a real-time example of how words cut and hurt.
Words kill, words give life; They’re either poison or fruit – you choose. Proverbs 18:21 MSG
I felt like God was saying to take my attention away from the situation and instead to look to Him. And then this image came to mind…
If a small child is upset or uncertain, she grabs hold of her parent’s leg and hides. She only pops her head out when she is absolutely sure she is safely protected by her towering parent.
As I pondered this I realized that I don’t have to stand out in the cold alone with my “friend’s” email.
It made me think of Ephesians 6:10-17 and specifically the words “… take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows…” as a metaphor for standing behind God’s legs and knowing that I am safe there.
distillations.blog 
A wonderful reaction and lesson Jacquie, which shows you are seeking to be Christ-like. I normally vent in a journal. Thanks for the reminder that God is always there. As you say, we can choose to go to, and take refuge in him or we can stew alone, May I say, you have chosen the better part! 🙂
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Thank you so much Carol. I’m a journaller too – often the most amazing correction and insights come from that honest outpoured writing.
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