Settling In

Wake Up Call

You know the feeling of settling in for a night of sleep? As you pull the covers up and turn off the light, your mind starts shutting down and your muscles relax. “Drifting off” is an apt expression for the in-between state of wake and sleep. Whatever you settle in with is what settles deep inside you. Dreams often speak of those things.

I wonder if that is why the Bible admonishes; “Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger.” (Ephesians 4:26) Anger in itself is not a problem. It is part of the built in vent system we all have. Plus there are legitimate things to be angry over like the time Jesus overturned the tables of the money changers for treating his Father’s house like a “robbers’ den” (Matthew 21:13)

Time is the main issue with anger. Handle it quickly. Carrying it overnight is like packing it in the bottom of a deep trunk. Everything that goes in on top of it smashes it down and it is very hard to dig it back out. In the morning, it is still there but it’s not up top anymore where it can be dispensed with. Overnight, revenge can settle on top of it or bitterness or hostility or a grudge.

Going to sleep at night clean is good for the body and the soul. If you need to say you are sorry; say you are sorry. If you need to talk about it some more, talk about it some more. That way, the only thing you will be settling in with will be God’s peace.

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