"Relax..."

"Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil." (Psalms 37:8) If I could make a New Year's resolution, and actually keep it, I think this would be what I would want to do; besides maybe eating less and riding my bike more, relaxing is vital for more than just our health, it is vital for our testimony of being a child of God. If words could kill, then I have murdered several people this last year; if not in their face, I have done it out loud to myself; and the sad thing is, most of the time it was totally uncalled for, it was just me getting overly excited about something that was absolutely a misunderstanding, or was not even there to begin with. I have tried the count to ten thing, and it really does not work, especially if while you are counting you are focused on whatever it is that has upset you. Personally, I like Paul's suggestion from his letter to Philippi, where he says, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely; whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." (Philippians 4:8) My mom always use to tell me, If you don't have anything nice to say about someone, then don't say anything. There was something to what she said, as well as what Paul says regarding the things that we press into our hearts from the bad thoughts in our minds; it is kind of like when we think upon the things we are not going to do, as if thinking of not doing them strengthens are ability to not do them; when the opposite happens, because just thinking about those things are like planting seeds of desire in our hearts. The best thing to do, is to think about the things of God, to meditate upon the Word, or to just pray and praise Him for having pulled you from the grip of the devil; but for goodness sake, don't think about things that are unworthy of virtue and praise. As for this verse in Psalms, it has moved from resting to relaxing, because most of us have a tendency to think on the things which we should not, even while we are resting in the Lord; and the things that I am talking about are things like, Why do they seem to have it so good? or, Why can't I have some of that? There is a command of God that speaks against that, which is, "Thou shalt not covet"; but how often do we do it anyways? Anger and wrath are things that are built up in our own hearts, and are sometimes hidden there where we cannot see them, usually because of resentment, until they just burst out; at which point we wonder, Where did that come from?
"Rejoice in the Lord always; and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:4-7)