Don’t Let the Sun Go Down
True or False? Never go to bed angry.
Today is a special day for me. It was on this day in 1976 that Margaret walked down the aisle of Glen Leven Presbyterian church to the glorious strains of the fourth movement of Beethoven's Ninth and we were joined together in the holy covenant of marriage. It’s been a great ride.
We spent our 10th anniversary at our favorite restaurant in Harare, Zimbabwe. Our 22nd anniversary we attended a Medieval Feast at the castle in Ruthin Wales. Our 25th anniversary was spent on the extraordinary piece of rock known as Le Mont Saint Michel just off the coast of Normandy in France. We have had three wonderful children who have brought us much pleasure with little grief. We have been blessed to both do work suitable to our calling and passion. We are partners and it is a good marriage.
Still, even the best marriages are not all sunshine and roses. There have been a few rough spots and a few of “those” conversations. We have also discovered that we are each only “somewhat” perfect. There are some areas that can use some work. But by the grace of God, and by commitment to follow His Word where we have clear instruction, we are at well over three decades and counting - and still smiling.
One of the keys has been Ephesians 4:26b. “Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.” I was listening to an interview on the radio a few weeks ago and this marriage counselor was saying that this advice was wrong. She pointed out that you can’t always work things out in a day much less a few hours. She is right in saying that you can’t always settle things before going to bed every night; however, that isn’t what this verse says to do. It says to not go to bed angry. You don’t have to have everything solved in order to release your anger, or rather to have anger release its hold on you. An embrace. A kiss. An, “I love you.” An, “I’m sorry.” These may not totally resolve your conflict but they can go a long way toward defusing anger.
Whether it is concerning marriage or friendships or business or politicks, this is good advice.
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