Harboring Anger And Being Tenderhearted

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,
Acts 3:19

A friend of mine back in the 70s told me his father, who the head of cardiology at a large hospital in Los Angeles, said riding a bike was the best cardio exercise anyone could do.

I love to ride my bike. Some time ago, I was knocked off my bike by being side-swiped by a truck – I really got banged up. Then, I had a little girl turn right in front of me while riding her scooter and I sailed right over my handle bars landing on cement. A while after those two events, I was riding my bike through a nearby neighborhood when a dog chased me down – dogs are supposed to be on a leash. I turned towards the dog’s owner who was about 40 yards from me and yelled at him to call his dog and that he should have had his dog on a leash. I was pretty mad at the guy.

I stopped riding my bike for a couple of years feeling it was unsafe, and because of the knee cap pain I experienced after each ride. As a result, I walked for exercise for a few years.

After being cleared by my doctor after having my knees x-rayed, I’ve started riding my bike again. And, I see the man walking his dog in that same neighborhood. ☺

Lately, the Lord’s begun working on my heart regarding yelling at the man with the unleashed dog. I often see the man while walking and riding my bike and noticed that he always has his dog leashed. I didn’t know if he remembered me or not.

The other day, Jesus impressed on my heart to seek out the man and tell him I was sorry for getting so angry about the unleashed dog incident that happened years ago – yes, even though it was not my fault and that I felt totally justified at my actions back then. I found the man backing his car out of his driveway and stopped him. He rolled down his window and I apologized. He said he was sorry for not having his dog leashed that day and that he’s been diligent to leash his dog ever since. After talking and laughing about the situation with him, he told me I really made his day. Now, he honks and waves at me whenever he sees me out riding.

God is so good. I feel a new freedom since finding that man and telling him I was sorry about my anger towards him. He’s a really nice guy and I feel like I have a new friend.

“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”
Ephesians 4:32

We can think we’re right, hold onto anger, and begin to let hard-heartedness take root in our souls. Anger can eat at our souls, stump our growth in the Lord, and keep us bound without even realizing it sometimes. Even if you’ve been wronged, being tenderhearted, forgiving and saying you’re sorry is so wonderful. It allows God to bring us times of refreshment.

Thanking and praising God in all things,

Mark