A KILLER STALKS AMONG US |
The World, the Word & You!
Broadcast
Commentary by Dennis L. Finnan
“”Are you aware that a deadly killer stalks among many unsuspecting
Americans? A killer that when it
strikes, can be fatal?”
I’m Dennis Finnan, host and speaker on the
World, the Word & You! Broadcast and in a moment we’ll talk about it…
…Many
today are totally unaware that within their very being and body, lies a
potential killer. No, I'm not talking about AIDS or STD'S as awful as they are.
Nor am I'm talking about CANCER, or any other life threatening disease. In fact, I'm talking about something that is
not physically examinable at all. But it is something that is tangibly a necessary
part of your very make-up and being.
Many long years ago, Solomon wrote in the Bible,
Prov 14:30 (NIV) “A
heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.”
Prov 17:22 (NIV) “A
cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”
Today
doctors and psychiatrists are discovering there is more truth in these Words
from God, than they ever realized before.
Dr. Redford Williams writes in his book the "TRUSTING HEART",
a peculiar story about a highly successful businessman, who became gravely ill.
At age 44 this man rose to the top of his profession. Owning a prosperous
business, he was a "go-getter", and a perfectionist to boot. When his employees missed the mark, he would
get frustrated, and soon angry, lashing out at them for their mistakes! Unable to trust anyone else to do the job
right, he became a life-long cynic. One
fall afternoon a motorist cut him off. It was too much. Road Rage over came him. His blood seemed to
boil, and then all of a sudden he felt what seemed like a "red-hot"
poker being thrust into his chest.
Well, you can imagine, how he responded. Immediately, he went to his
doctor. But strangely, all the battery
of tests indicated no abnormality. As a technician attempted to draw additional
blood, he missed the vein frequently.
This man became annoyed and angry, and in the midst of this flair up of
temper, that red-hot pain shot through his chest again. Fortunately, since this was under the
doctor’s eye when it happened, the physicians were able to find that one of his
coronary arteries was blocked. What happened was when he became angry and
frustrated, the blood in his body actually stopped flowing to his heart!
Now, what some thought for over 2000 years was just a good saying, well now it becomes medical reality! Yes my friend, God's Word, although for centuries past and perhaps for some to come, often seems unreasonable to the fallen human mind, mankind is finding out that not one word or teaching of God's truth is ever in error. Oft times we cannot identify why something said should be true, but when all the facts are in - the Bible never is in error, as to any statements made. Whether they be historical, scientific or theological! The Proverbs being supernaturally inspired by God, warned us long ago - "OUR OWN ANGER CAN KILL US!" This is the deadly killer that stalks every one of us in our fast paced world in which we live. The word of Prov. 14:30 rings truer now than ever before.
Prov 14:30 (NIV) “A
heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.”
Now Doctors only recently have been able to document this truth that ANGER, HOSTILITY, and even FRUSTRATION, well all of it can KILL us and be fatal! Not only do such attitudes raise the chances of coronary heart disease, but greatly increase our risks of suffering other life-threatening illnesses too! Now, if you have a "hostile, angry, and frustrated" heart, it is important that you find God's way of changing it. For if you don't, YOUR ANGER NOT CAN, BUT WILL KILL YOU!
Now
in the remaining moments, after we pause again for another soothing, tranquil
song for your personal refreshment, I'll return to share with you some
practical ways to handle anger and hostility, which in the end will benefit
others as well as yourself. So don't go away, what I have to say may save your
life!..
…Dr.
Redford Williams in his book, “The Trusting Heart” reveals, that studies have
shown that when anger, hostility and frustration have been reduced, there has
been more than a 45% reduction rate of mortality and recurrent heart problems
among those medically and emotionally at risk! It follows then, that to find
ways to reduce or cancel anger and hostility - well, simply it can save your
life! Now today I want to go to the Bible and relate God's truth, already
spoken long ago, and find ways God tells us, to handle anger, frustration and
hostility.
First
of all, if you are an excitable person, one who knows he or she is a cynic
about life and people - you are most dangerously stalked by this killer of
humankind. You therefore need to especially listen.
First of all, at the onset, anger is a fact of life. We live in a highly stressful society, and its not getting better! More importantly, humankind is made in the image of God. This image include the godlike attributes of emotion. We can love and care for others, but we can become angry and even hate them too. Now, it is by the wrong use of emotions, that we become personally at risk.
What is anger anyway? Well defined it is "a strong feeling of irritation or displeasure that involves a physical state of readiness to act!" Thus, anger involves physical and emotional stress and energy. Now in the Bible, especially the Old Testament, the word anger is found some 455 times! Some researchers have found that most people experience this energy level more than eight to ten times a day. However anger is not always a negative thing! Getting angry can cause us to rise up and protect or help in time of danger. But most times it is not helpful, rather hurtful.
Today most anger leads to emotional, verbal and even physical abuse and violence. Our society is reaching a frustration level unknown before. Some time ago on the news it was reported that a Florida man, became angry that his car was repossessed. In a rage of anger and hate, he went to the loan company armed to his teeth, and blasted away at everyone in the building. Senselessly and brutally he cut down more than nine innocent people and permanently wounded even more. What a terrible case of uncontrollable sinful anger!
Do you know that during an average 12-month period, more than 10 million children are beaten by angry parents. In the same year, more than 4- 6 million women are brutally beaten by angry husbands. Criminologists tell us that more than 60% of all homicides are committed by people, who know the victim and were “angry” with them. More than 30% of policemen killed on duty, are murdered, attempting to break up angry domestic strife. Yes, anger kills others around us, but in the end, make note - God has designed it ¾ to kill us!
Why? Because ungodly vengeful anger is a serious sin! God has designed that in our fallen world, there are certain laws and principles that exist in this sin cursed world. One of them is if we break God's laws of love, this hostility and anger will actually shorten our own lives. This my friend, is why God has given us His Word. Not to make us unhappy, or to stop us from enjoying life, but to warn us, of what is good for us and what is bad!
Prov 14:30 (NIV) “A
heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.
In God's Word He gives us the way to a happy,
contented and long physical life. Have you found it? If not, here quickly, are five ways to develop a trusting and
kind heart that will not only be a blessing to others, but to you as well! To
begin the first thing you must do is...
#1 ADMIT THE FACT THAT, YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH ANGER, AND AGREE WITH GOD, THAT IT IS SIN! (I John 1:9) -Until you do this, you will never be free of its deadly power within you. The Bible says: "If we confess our sins, God is just and faithful, through Christ to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all the effects of unrighteousness." Of course my friend, God cannot forgive anybody's sin just for asking. Sin is forgiven only on the basis that someone else pays the debt! This is the Gospel of Christianity. Jesus Christ, the infinite God-Man, came earth to die and pay for the sins of the human race which He alone created. In paying for sin through death, we can go free in eternity and be forgiven any and all sin ever found in our lives!
Now if you are a cynic, or an easily angered person. You'll never evade this killer that stalks you, unless you admit your sin and agree with God that ANGER IS WRONG! In Eph 4:30, God tells us “PUT AWAY ALL BITTERNESS, WRATH, ANGER, and CLAMOR.... " To fail to do this is sin!
#2 When situations strike
that begin to cause stress, impatience, and anger - Just stop, and BEGIN TO
REASON! Remember that
others around are also suffering trying times, frustrations, and life's
stress. If they offend you, distract
you, or make your path difficult - REMEMBER IT IS USUALLY NOT INTENTIONAL.
God's Word again speaks here. It says: "Therefore.... put away all NEGATIVE SPEAKING. BE CONSTANTLY
PUTTING AWAY FROM YOU HATRED IN YOUR HEART.. Make no room for EVIL THOUGHTS /
SPEAKING!" (Eph. 4:29-30)
Being
rational God says, may help you gain perspective and cut off that steam from
rising to the point of injuring others and yourself.
#3 Be mature enough at
times of anger to - LAUGH AT YOURSELF-- Yes, my friend, laugh!
The Bible says a "MERRY HEART DOETH GOOD
LIKE MEDICINE"(Prov. 17:22) Yes, God says there is a joy in
this that can actually heal an angry heart!
Even in times of stress, think on all the good things God has allowed in
your life! Oh yes there are a number of
bad things, but think only on the GOOD THINGS at this moment, for they are
many! In Philippians 4:11 Paul the
apostle says, “Whatsoever things are good lovely
and of good report, think on these things". Laughter, joy, happiness and good thoughts
can and will defuse anger, and heal stressful hearts.
#4 Lastly at times of
emotional anger, PRACTICE FORGIVENESS! - Did you know that angry
people are usually people who find it hard to forgive others? Why? Because most of them are often
unforgiven themselves. I am amazed at
the great number of disturbed people today who carry in their hearts, an unforgiving
spirit.
You
know friend, if I dwelt on the past I could get very angry, frustrated and
hateful! Permit me to be personal in
the interest of being practically helpful.
For many years I worked in the business world. It was a cut-throat
world. The firm I served established a retirement account for me as part of my
salary when I began. After 12 years the owners, decided to sell the firm, and
the buy out was not enough for them. Through a shrewd legal maneuver, they were
able to also take for themselves, a
number of employees retirement funds, that were set aside as a part of years of
our salaries. A goodly sum was
literally stolen from us. At the time I was quite upset and emotionally irate.
But, I knew that if I allowed it to boil inside, I would be the loser.
Should
I be angry? You bet! It was an unethical deal. But, if I let things like this to fester in
me, I would have been consumed by it. No, God had to teach me that I had to
learn to show what He did for me ¾ He forgave me! And He continues to forgive me again and
again! Yes, praise God, He has forgiven
me all my sin. Can I do anything less to those around me who willingly or
ignorantly cause me great frustration and even harm? The answer is yes, for in
so doing I am the greater recipient of its effects and blessing.
Yes,
forgiveness my friend is the key to a tranquil and happy heart. But, for any of
us to really receive such a happy heart that is medicine to the body and soul,
each of us must first find, God's forgiveness of all our sins. This marvelous gift is of all things, the
main message of the Bible. God loves us all, even while we are sinning against
Him. And although, God's anger is righteously due us all, God has made a way to
forgive us, all our sins, willfully, ignorantly, callously, and repeatedly done
against Him.
Say
friend, have you recognized the LORDSHIP of this one, our SAVIOR Jesus Christ,
who alone forgives all sin? Have you
surrendered your heart to Him? Have you given Him, the control room key to your
inner self, and the title deed to your life?
Unless you do, there can be no forgiveness from heaven, and no reception
of eternal life.
Now if you are a non-Christian today, there's hope for your angry heart. You must seek and receive God's forgiveness first. However, note, it doesn't come by reformation of life, such as by church works, or human reason. It comes when a man, a boy, a girl or a woman, simply by faith, looks up into heaven and cries out, “LORD SAVE ME.” Save me from what…
First
of all, from oneself, and then from a life and deadly killer that stalks among
us. The Bible promises, God will hear your prayer, and will grant you life
eternal, and with it the right to the medicine of a merry, happy and tranquil
heart. God grant this to you today for Jesus sake, AMEN…
…Many Christians today find it difficult to forgive.
They maintain a selfish spirit of wanting everything and everyone to follow
their way, and never cross their path. There is no room in their hearts for
others to differ with them, or desire to embark on a path that is contrary to
their will. As a result they become easily frustrated, and that frustrations
soon turns to anger and if unconfessed to hatred and all forms of other
negative relationships. Everyone one of us knows someone like this, right?
Hopefully it isn’t you I’ve described. But nonetheless, my friend, we must
remember the Christian life is a life not lived for satisfying self, but for
the needs and goodness of others and our Lord. Being kind to the thankless,
Being patient with the impatient. Being loving to the loveless. Being forgiving
to the offenders. Yes, the Bible does say,
Prov 17:22 (NIV) “A
cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”
Modern
medical experts are only finding the truth of this out today, but remember, God
said it long ago. Today my friend,
REPLACE THAT CYNICAL ANGRY HEART WITH A TRUSTING HEART, BEGINNING BY TRUSTING
GOD'S WORD that tells us we all need a Savior. We all need Jesus Christ in our
lives to rules us, guide us, and to lead us in paths of righteousness and
peace. How can this happen? It’s quite simple, God says all of us need to
simply “believe on the Lord Jesus
Christ.” That means turn the reins of your life and all your problems,
frustration and situations over to Him to handle and control and you in effect
step back and away from the controls of your life. Are you willing to give God
the Son, Jesus Christ the LORDSHIP of your life? If so He promises to not only save you from the sin penalty of Hell to
come, but grant you His PEACE, and POWER,
for a happy peaceful and tranquil life to enjoy now and for eternity.
The choice is yours. Take Jesus Christ today ¾ He is the best medicine
for all ailing hearts and lives.
· Radio talk #2201
· Broadcast date: June 06, 2001
· Speaker: Dennis L. Finnan, Commentator
· Program: The World, the Word & You! Radio Broadcast
· Address: P.O. Box 40133 Grand Junction, CO 81504
The World, the Word & You! Broadcast is a non-denominational ministry based on the historic fundamental evangelical interpretation of the Scriptures. A copy of our doctrinal statement is available upon request. These weekly radio commentaries are not exhaustive studies of any particular subject due to the time limit of broadcasting. Actual broadcasts can be heard in selected areas around the nation, as funding provides. Dennis Finnan has been the speaker for over 22 years, and serves as General Director.
These transcripts are available free of charge to all who desire them. Also available are actual radio cassette tapes and printed booklets of each message. A free listing of recent messages is available upon request also.
For further information, reprints, or a listing of all topics, please write to our speaker, Dennis L. Finnan(dennis@wwy.org),or visit our webpage at http://www.wwy.org/