‘LISTEN’ with Mercy Enujeko mercy enujeko

What dream and calling did God place in your heart? What are you currently focused on?

One of the simplest and best ways to start a conversation with God is by thanking Him. After all, everyone likes to feel appreciated!

Thank God for your home, your car, and the job you love. Tell Him you’re grateful for the air you breathe, your good health, and the family that drives you crazy. Tell Him thank you for giving you guidance and encouragement through His word in the Bible. And thank Him for sending His son Jesus to die a death He didn’t deserve to give you the gift of eternal life that you could never earn.

Considering the matter of anger, we could certainly conclude that anger is a secondary emotion; it is the result of another feeling. Anger is at the surface, but the emotion that triggers it is the root of the problem. That is the answer to your why. It is precisely this which makes the difference between legitimate anger (not sinful) and illegitimate anger (sinful). The question that we should ask ourselves is the following: “why am I angry?” Is it because of my preferences or is it because of God’s purposes? There is a vast difference between the two.

When you get angry because your desires are not met, the reason behind your why is your preferences. There is something that you want, but that you are not getting. This can be: respect, love, the fastest lane in the highway, a parking space, the best table at a restaurant, and so on. Your selfishness is being confronted, and you want to “fight back.” You feel that you “deserve” something that you are not getting. We get frustrated because of unmet expectations.

The second reason behind your why is utterly different. You get angry because God’s purposes are challenged. Something illegitimate takes place, and that makes us angry. Some people call this “holy anger.” William Wilberforce headed the parliamentary campaign against the British slave trade for twenty years until the passage of the Slave Trade Act of 1807. He and other evangelicals were horrified by what they perceived as a depraved and un-Christian trade, and the greed and avarice of the owners and traders of slaves. God created men in His image and likeness. To see these truths challenged raised “holy anger” in Christians who put God’s purposes first.

Jesus is always the ultimate example of legitimate anger. In today’s Bible reading you will see some examples of legitimate anger expressions and the reasons behind them. The question we should all ask when anger arises is, why am I angry? The answer will allow us to realize its legitimacy.

Thought of the Day

When I get angry, I need to ask myself, “Why am I angry? Is it because my preferences or God’s purposes are being challenged?”

Jesus is the resource!!!

How do you know if a goal is from God or from yourself?

You're starting to see it: without goals, you might wander around aimlessly in life. God-led goals are good. But! How do you know if they’re God-led and not from yourself? How can you tell the difference? You're afraid you'll choose the wrong goals!

Do you know what's so wonderful about God? A lot of things, but namely, He wants to do this life right alongside you. When you feel lost in your goals and purpose, or in choosing between one path or another, He wants you to ask Him for help—and he loves giving it! James tells us, 'If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him" (James 1:5 ESV).

Don't know whether your plans are good to goal?

How to set goals as a Christian. You want to follow God AND achieve goals with purpose. But you're worried that setting goals will lead you away from God’s plans for you. So, you're wondering, "Is it okay to set goals as a Christian? What does God's Word say about how to do this and stay in line with His will?" God has a lot to say about goals, intentional planning, and stewarding well what we've been given.

The short answer: goals are good! Even Jesus had goals. God desires for us to live on purpose, not by accident. The fact that you're asking and seeking His will means you want to do this life well. His Word is about to illuminate for you how to set the right goals and stay motivated to achieve them.

But, don’t expect to find a checklist or a quick-fix formula for goal setting in the Bible. If it were that easy, we might read the list, check it off, and never talk to God about our plans. It's not about following rules, it's about a relationship with the One who created you with unique gifts and talents to use, God Himself.


Pray with me: Lord, I want to follow You, setting goals that align with your will for my life. Thank you for creating me with unique gifts and talents to use for Your greater purpose. I want to go where you're going. Please show me how to set goals the way you desire. I need your wisdom on planning and purpose so I can steward what you've given me—my time, my money, my work, my relationships, my health—right where I am. Open my eyes to Your truth and help it move from my head to my heart to my hands. In Jesus' name. Amen!