Grapes of Wrath

When I came across this image the other day, I saw my ridiculous self too often reacting this way in my life. I vowed this kind of revenge or that kind of revenge. And, like these little green guys here, I looked just as laughable in my intense rage! Ah, wrath! Do we realize how dopey we look when we’re a-plotting our revenge? C’mon, you know you have your revenge fantasies. It’s those little indulgent moments when we take back our injured power, when we pulverize our notorious enemy. And it’s usually involving some triumphant moment, I guess, when we stand on a mountain somewhere, with the glorious heavens parting to revealing an angel choir supplying our victory soundtrack. Am I the ONLY one who’s delved into this stuff? C’mon, now, be real! Yes, it’s “The Grapes of Wrath,” alright- and not the John Steinbeck novel stuff, either! So, what are we supposed to do with our human selves? After all, anger’s a human emotion, right? “Be ye angry…” Ephesians 4:26 Oooh, yeah! We can get behind that little nugget. Be angry? Got it, Lord! I’ll obey ya, no problem. But wait. There’s more to that directive; put away that flame thrower… “…and sin not…” Ah, c’mon! It was good up to that point. I’d really like to do something about this situation, show it/him/her who’s boss! So we read a little further… “…let not the sun go down upon your wrath.” But I want that wrath to carry over into the next day, Lord! It’s about momentum. Surely, You want me to be focused in my efforts, right? This is usually where I’m pitching a temper tantrum. And I wish I could look only as silly as these grapes here. And just when I think I’ve had all I can stand, more advice… “…let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.” James 1:19 Really, God? You gotta be kidding me? What gives? I know, it feels like, in our boiling emotions, God’s taken away all of our satisfaction. We want whoever has wronged us to PAY, don’t we? Why is God denying us that happiness? It’s not denial; it’s loving protection. If we go off the deep end, there will be consequences- and not good ones, either… “A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment...” Proverbs 19:19 Furthermore, if we do it our way once, we’ll get a go around the same frustrating mountain again. Fun. “…if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again.” And who wants that? But you and I still while and fuss about our wounds, the injustices and the hurt caused by others? Does that mean they’re getting away scot-free? No. God has this under control; He’s taking care of it. Maybe not to our preferences or specifications, but He’s working it out, because He- not any of us- is qualified to do so! “Vengeance is Mine… I will repay.” Romans 12:19-20 Plus, there’s the whole issue of judgment which we royally get screwed up on a regular basis. After all, how often is this scripture quoted? “Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” Matthew 7:1-2 Eh, yikes! It doesn’t look so hot if we’re judged, does it? Being on the other end of that wrath stick isn’t nearly as enjoyable as doling out our own punishment. And again, God’s not trying to take away our rewards, our joy and our satisfaction. But those things are never found in revenge. Never. Ever. We were created for a much higher purpose: "For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Thessalonians 5:9 That’s slightly more difficult to do if we’re crushing a skull or two, now isn’t it? I know. The feelings still want revenge though. But remember feelings are temporary. And think back to a time when your feeling got you in a hot mess! Yeah. Still trust those suckers? Nope, it’s not easy holding back our grapes of wrath; it’s not always fun, either. But remember God’s bigger picture of reward: "Behold, the Lord GOD will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him." Isaiah 40:10 Trust that strong hang over some flaky, temporary grapes of wrath. You’ll look a lot better doing so!