Power or Prison? The Choice is Yours

Read The Daily:
“I have told you these things so that you won’t abandon your faith. For you will be expelled from the synagogues, and the time is coming when those who kill you will think they are doing a holy service for God.” – John 16:1-2

We think holding onto anger gives us power. But what if it’s actually a prison?

Jesus warned His disciples that they would face real injustice. They would be hated, attacked, and even killed—by people who believed they were doing God a favor. If anyone had a right to be angry, it was them. And yet, Jesus didn’t say, “Fight back.” He didn’t say, “Prove them wrong.” He simply prepared them for reality and invited them to respond with grace instead of rage.

That’s hard for us to hear because, let’s be real—anger feels powerful. When we’ve been hurt, we think, They don’t deserve my forgiveness. They should feel what I feel. But the longer we hold onto that mindset, the more it holds onto us.

Jesus saw things differently. Hanging on the cross, after being beaten, mocked, and abandoned, He didn’t unleash His anger—He unleashed grace. He said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34) If Jesus could forgive the cross, maybe we can forgive a comment.

So here’s the real question:

Are you holding onto anger, or is anger holding onto you?

Think about it—what’s that one thing, that one person, that one moment you can’t seem to let go of? What would it look like to stop trying to control it and start releasing it to God?

The enemy wants you to believe that staying mad gives you control. Jesus wants you to see that true freedom comes from letting go.

Today, choose freedom. Let go of the grudge. Drop the scorecard. Walk in the grace you’ve been given. Because anger isn’t power—it’s just another kind of prison.

Prayer for the Day

God what are you  showing me?  What am I going to do about it?
God help me to see one person that I can serve through a kind word, random act of kindness, or simple gift today?
Make sure you complete the reading or comment today.

Read The New Testament In A Year

4 x 6 Plan | Read: John 17:20-26 & 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. “I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began! “O righteous Father, the world doesn’t know you, but I do; and these disciples know you sent me. I have revealed you to them, and I will continue to do so. Then your love for me will be in them, and I will be in them.”   John 17:20-26

When I first came to you, dear brothers and sisters, I didn’t use lofty words and impressive wisdom to tell you God’s secret plan. For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified. I came to you in weakness—timid and trembling. And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God.  1 Corinthians 2:1-5

Read More – Bible Project Overviews: John, 1 Corinthians