Put Out the Flame

A close friend said something to me on the phone that took me by surprise. I felt it was cutting, and I resented it deeply. I didn’t hang up on him but cut the conversation short, and he knew I was provoked.

That conversation lit a fire under my flesh. I was disturbed, hurt, and agitated. Anger, indignation, and grief began to pour out. In short, I began to stew about it.

I paced around my study, trying to pray, but I was so bothered and troubled that I could hardly focus on the Lord. I prayed, “God, my close friend put me down, and there was no reason for it. It had to be the devil trying to provoke me. I don’t have to listen to that!”

I allowed these thoughts to simmer for about an hour. Finally, I reached a boiling point and cried out, “Lord, I’m really steamed about this!”

That’s when I heard God’s still, small voice, saying, “David, put out that flame right now. You’re stewing in your own juices of hurt, anger, and hatred because you’ve been deeply hurt. But what you’re doing is dangerous, and you dare not continue.”

I learned long ago that when the Holy Spirit speaks, it pays to listen. I repented on the spot and asked for forgiveness. Then I sat down and began thinking, “What was it that so provoked me? Why did I keep simmering inside? I can’t stay mad at this friend. We’ve been close for a long time, and I know I will forgive him. Why am I so upset?”

Suddenly, it hit me. The simmering inside me was not the result of that hurtful conversation. I was angry because I had allowed myself to be easily provoked again. I was troubled and agitated at myself because I had quickly fallen back into an old habit that I thought I had conquered.

The fastest way to “put out the flame” is to trust in Christ’s forgiveness. He is ready to forgive at all times. “For you, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon you” (Psalm 86:5, NKJV).