I’m Mad! I'm Getting Even!

Judges 15:14-18; 1 Kings 18:36-39; 19:4-6

Samson:  Superhero of the Bible – in the physical

Elijah:  Superhero in the Spiritual Realm

In both instance, after the Spirit moved on them mightily, both men are mad

• ·         Samson, very thirsty – feeling betrayed
• ·         Elijah – unfilled expectations

In both instances they felt at the end; they were ready to give up, even die

Amazing that they can be so mad, after being so Spiritual

After being so high, can slip to such a low

This is not a sin problem

This is not a spiritual problem

As a matter of fact, the problem is not abnormal

A lot of you are dealing with the same issue

            You haven’t been able to put your finger on what you’re feeling

                        You can’t figure out why you’re so mad & irritable – no real reason

Diagnosis the problem:

They were getting mad, when what they needed was to “Get Even”

They were on a Spiritual high, but physically & emotionally they were low

They were uneven

Spiritually – high

Physically – exhausted: hungry, thirsty, tired

Emotionally (soul) – disappointed and depressed, bitter and resentful

            Felt alone, deserted, empty

Financially – frustrated

Felt unappreciated – like work and successes were meaningless & unrewarded

The answer to physical, emotional & financial deficits is not spiritual

            In the same way, the answer to spiritual deficits is not natural

Each part of us has a longing, a desire, a pull…

When you don’t address your appetites properly, live in undefined frustration

Open & vulnerable to the falling into temptation with substitutes

Temptation is just an appeal to your natural appetites, i.e. sex, money, food, connection

James 1:14.  Each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own lusts and enticed.

Lust is strong desire for the right thing the wrong way or for it in excess

When you’re uneven, with unexplained frustration; you’re subject to burnout

Vulnerable to alcoholism, extramarital affairs, perversions, even suicide

Look at how God dealt with these great men:

He did not condemn them for being mad, because what they needed was normal

            He addressed the area in their life where they needed to get even

I want to share a few things, so you won’t get mad, but you’ll get even:

1.  Know thyself: you are a spirit, living in a body, with a soul – each part has an appetite

Eccl 7:16-18

16 Do not be overly righteous, nor be overly wise: Why should you destroy yourself?

17 Do not be overly wicked, nor be foolish: Why should you die before your time?

18 It is good that you grasp this, and also not remove your hand from the other;

For he who fears God will escape them all.

2.  Satisfy your thirst or appetite appropriately

Identify the real hunger or thirst   

Learn to feed each part of yourself – natural food, Word, relationship,

3.  Celebrate your successes:  God did!  (each day)

4.  Rest:  God did

            Take proper physical care of yourself: eat right, sleep, exercise

Remember the Sabbath and keep it Holy

            Technology doesn’t let us rest

Slow down and shut something off

5.  Get away:  Mark 6.  Jesus made the disciples take a vacation after a spiritual high

            Change locations, change activities, period of time

6.  Have a support system – friends, family, church, group

            Samson & Elijah felt alone

Eccl 4:9-10.  Two are better than one,

Because they have a good reward for their labor.

10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion.

But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up.

7.  Get your financial house in order

Financial conditions increase stress, enhance frustrations, destroys marriages

8.  Laugh  

A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones. Prov 17:2

                        Laughter lowers stress, boosts immune system and is contagious.

Don’t get mad, Get Even

3 John 2.  Beloved, I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospers.  KJV