Introvert or extroverted. Quiet or talkative, at some point you have talked to yourself. If you’ve talked to yourself then at some point you have ranted to yourself
Ranting is when you are running at the mouth about how upset you are at a situation or someone. Some of us rant to whomever is around. Some type away our anger on social media in long posts or write furiously in our journals. Then there are some of us who speak aloud or under our breath to ourselves thinking it to be better then sharing with others. Don’t get me wrong, it is good to talk to yourself. I would rather not share my mess with someone for fear of saying the wrong thing or making them feel uncomfortable. But I have learned recently that even continuing your hurt feelings in private can be dangerous.
Pain Though you are not doing bodily harm, venting to yourself can lead to hurting on the inside. From experience I can vouch that when I’m still holding unto hurt feelings my head feels as heavy as the packages I deliver for Amazon. The veins in my head throbbing. The insides of my stomach swirling like a hurricane.
Distraction Ever been so flustered that you couldn’t do your job properly? You spent a little more time on a task than what you’re expected to do. You were so focused on your anger that you couldn’t focus on traffic and those around you, causing a collision or close one. In your ranting you realize you’ve forgotten that you had a personal task to knock out before a certain time. Maybe you even missed an appointment. Now you have to reschedule that. Not only does rescheduling hurt you, but it inconveniences the other person because they have other waiting people they could see or things they wanted to do later off the clock.
Good Feelings Replaced The good thoughts you have of the person can be overshadowed by unpleasant thoughts. You might even run the risk of asking why you care about this person, when the obvious reason you do is that you love them. As scripture says, we are supposed to do so. To do so is to not only loving our God, but to love ourselves.
What is wrong with me? you’ll ask yourself. This is my brother. My sister. My mother. My father. My friend. My partner. My spouse. My brother or sister in Christ, etc. Yes they got me fired up at present, but why am I firing myself up further by going on in private. Whose to say I haven’t done the same towards them or someone else in the past? This is someone who I’m supposed to love. I’m ashamed for thinking so harshly.
Frustration is understandable. In this life it is unavoidable due to sin, but continuing on about it is a poison to yourself and those around you. You want to stop poisoning yourself? You want your insides to stop hurting and to not let that love you have for others be clouded? Pause and close your mouth to cease your tirade. Take a few breaths to ease your tense body and mind. Come down on your knees to pray. If you’re a first timer or it’s been a while here’s an example of what you can say.
Lord please forgive me for being so angry. I don’t know how I allowed myself to get so worked up about this matter for this long. I know bitterness is not your way. The Devil wants me to be bitter because he too is bitter. Misery loves company. Let me go about my business without thinking about what’s been done. I’d rather be happy. Remove the seeds I’ve planted in me before they grow into something worse. For I love my neighbor. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
DavidSpeaks 