A JUST CAUSE

«When I heard their complaints, I was very angry» (Nehemiah 5:6, NLT).

What made Nehemiah get so mad? He found out that, while rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, wealthy Israelites were taking advantage of their fellow countrymen who were poor. Since there was a great shortage of food, poor Israelites mortgaged their homes and vineyards, and even sold their children as slaves to be able to buy food. Instead of feeling sorry for their relatives, wealthy Israelites practiced usury. With justified outrage, Nehemiah introduced a drastic social reform: he forbade usury and demanded that everyone be returned their properties and the interests they had paid. To make sure justice was done, Nehemiah called the priests as witnesses and made the rich noblemen and rulers swear before them that they would return it all. What a great example! Properly managed anger led Nehemiah to defend those who needed it most.

Sometimes getting mad is the best thing that can happen to us. «Justified anger encourages change,» writes Christian psychologist Dan Allender, in Cry of the Soul. «Anger is a surgical weapon designed to destroy ugliness and restore beauty. In the hands of one who is trained in love, . . . the knife of righteous anger is a weapon for restoration,» he adds. But righteous anger requires integrity and sacrifice. To defend the poor Israelites, Nehemiah had to face the domineering class. He ran the risk of having them against him and losing the political connections needed for his job as governor. However, that did not stop him, because he was not defending his own interests or pride, but rather a just cause.

Behind the things that make us angry, there is often a calling. Righteous anger is a doorway to a mission, or to improve and deepen a relationship. In God’s hands, our ability to feel anger can be a blessing to those around us.

Dear Lord, please sanctify my emotions so that they will be in total harmony with Yours. I want to be mad about the things that make You mad, and glad about what makes You glad.
Take my heart and cleanse it from selfishness, so that I may feel more and in a better way. Fill me with deep compassion for those who are suffering, and wisdom to help them in practical and specific ways. Amen.

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Take From: Devotional Thoughts for Women 2022
«NO FEARS»
BY: VANEZA PISSUTO
Collaborators: Alexandra Pérez & Angelica Cuate.