Facing the Flash Points of Life
(summary by Gary Avánt)

Our December 2002 speaker was Roger Talamantez, President and CEO of the San Diego Data Processing Corporation.

The heart of his message is found in James 1:19-27:

“My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.“

Roger told us that if you are struggling with anger, take these three steps:

  1. Repent. Humble yourself before God in brokenness and sorrow over your sin.
  2. Make things right with people you have wronged. Even children will experience great healing when a parent openly confesses the sin of anger and asks for forgiveness.
  3. Seek appropriate help. The secrecy will need to be broken and the need shared. This is often the essential step that leads to healing.

Secondly, if you are a victim of anger, you will need to take the following steps:

  1. Become an intercessor. This is a spiritual battle. Prayer alone will break the hold.
  2. Stop being an enabler. Call anger sin and declare it to be intolerable.
  3. Seek help. The pain caused by exposure will be relieved by the healing that will come. At this step, be sure to seek counsel from your pastor.

For all of us, these are the flash point of life. The tensions, conflicts, hostilities, and the deep hurts of life. How shall we face them? James has the key:

  1. Be quick to listen.
  2. Be slow to speak.
  3. Be slow to become angry.

These inevitable moments of confrontation will be wonderfully dissolved when the simple strategy of James is obediently followed.