The Raven of Wrath

Last night I went to bed and began to think about a conflict that was still brewing in my heart.  Before long I noticed that my body temperature began to rise.  The more I thought about the offense the hotter and more bothered I became. As I prayed asking the Lord to take this burden I noticed my body temperature declining, my spirit calming. 

Then I read the book of Amos and learned something significant about those unsettling and unresolved conflicts of life. In Amos 1:11 the prophet writes, 

Thus says the LORD; For three transgressions of Edom, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because he did pursue his brother with the sword, and did cast off all pity, and his anger did tear perpetually, and he kept his wrath for ever.

The word anger in Hebrew carries the idea of rapid breathing in passion. The word tear interestingly enough is the word for raven.  When I began to ponder the meaning of these words it started to make sense. Conflict left unresolved leads to high anxiety (rapid breathing) and torn relationships. 

Forgiveness is a choice. When we choose to forgive, our heated anger is diffused and our peace restored. When we allow conflict to linger, like the raven, joy and peace will be stripped to the bone.

If you’re looking for a story that will etch these truths into your children’s hearts, True to the Last is a book that you will keep on the mantle as one of your all time favorites.