Digging Deeper – Patience Opens Up ‘A Whole New World’ of Opportunity
And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.
Ephesians 4:26-27 (NLT)
PATIENCE OPENS UP ‘A WHOLE NEW WORLD’ OF OPPORTUNITY
Perhaps my all-time favorite animated movie is Disney’s Aladdin. I love everything about it: the soundtrack, the story, the characters – particularly Genie, portrayed by the vocal talent of the late comedian Robin Williams. But a great story isn’t the same without villains. In Aladdin, the villains are Jafar, the grand vizier of Agrabah – the sultan’s most trusted advisor – and his cantankerous parrot, Iago.
Jafar is a cold, calculating schemer with his eyes on supplanting Jasmine’s father as Sultan. While Jafar is determined to make his desire for power a reality, he is willing to play the long game. Iago is equally motivated by riches and power but has reached his boiling point. Getting his beak incessantly stuffed with crackers has made him rather salty, and he’s ready for a change in leadership. As Jafar and Iago attempt to gain access to the hidden treasure in the Cave of Wonders, they ultimately come away empty-handed.
Iago is incensed, and goes into a tirade:
“We’re never gonna get a hold of that stupid lamp! Just forget it – look at this, I’m so ticked off I’m molting!”
And then comes Jafar’s famous response: “Patience, Iago. Patience!”
I can’t tell you how many times my wife has uttered these words to me and our sons through the years when we’ve gotten a bit impatient. But, as we see in Iago’s actions, as well as later in the movie, when Jafar is insulted by Aladdin, anger and impatience are closely aligned – and it’s a dangerous pairing.
We’ve all likely heard this marriage advice from friends and family: Don’t go to bed angry. It’s wise counsel for several reasons, but Ephesians 4:26 without 4:27 is incomplete. Why shouldn’t we go to bed angry? Because “anger gives a foothold to the devil.” Another translation says, “Give no opportunity to the devil.”
In our anger, we are unable to think clearly, and the enemy pounces! He only has a few weapons in his arsenal, and chief among them are accusing and lying. In fact, here’s what Jesus had to say about Satan:
“He (Satan) has always been a murderer and a liar. There is nothing truthful about him. He speaks on his own, and everything he says is a lie. Not only is he a liar himself, but he is also the father of all lies.”
When you’re drawn toward anger (and it very well could be justified), you need to heed these warnings! Instead of allowing the enemy to gain an advantage over you, lean into Christ and remember his love for you, and recall all the times He has forgiven you! You’ll likely drift off to sleep a little quicker when you do!
C.A. Phillips serves as Communications Pastor and Director of Men’s Groups at NorthStar Church. He is a graduate of the Henry W. Grady School of Journalism at the University of Georgia, and he loves the Dawgs and the Atlanta Braves. He has two (grown) boys and lives in Kennesaw with his wife, Amy, and their German Shepherd, Abby.
