6 Jan, 2010

Why did the Chicken...?

Woman arrested after McNugget rage

Picture of a McDonalds signTOLEDO, Ohio (AP) — Police say an Ohio woman punched through a McDonald's drive-through window because Chicken McNuggets weren't available.

Police were called Friday to the restaurant in Toledo.

Police say the 24-year-old was treated for injuries, then jailed. She pleaded not guilty to a vandalism charge.

She was released on a recognizance bond and ordered not to have contact with the restaurant.

A manager at the McDonald's declined Monday to discuss the incident.

Story provided by: 2news.tv.

James 1:19-20 (New International Version)

My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.

What does God's Story scripture teach us about controling our anger?

James is writing his letter to first century Jewish Christians, and he hits two things really quickly in his letter. First, we are going to face trials of all kinds. Second, keep your anger in check. The order and the fact they are both up front in his letter fascinate me. James obviously understands human nature. When things go wrong, or in a way other than how we planned, you can see the anger flush our faces.

James makes it very clear, though, that anger like this is not God-honoring and doesn't draw us closer to God.

How can we connect today's God's Story scripture to our lives?

There are few places that bring out rage like sporting events do. Before I started writing I was at a middle school basketball game. I was amazed at the harshness of the crowd toward the referees. What really got me is they were screaming hate during a 7th grade basketball game. I understand the need for fair play, but the reality is no one in the room was getting paid for playing. None of the players were going to be receiving scholarships based on their performance during that game. Yet I found myself surrounded by fits of rage.

How short is your fuse? Do you get angry at the drop of a hat? How does your anger distract you and others from God?

 

How can we connect today's story, God's Storyscripture, and our story to others?

Like I mentioned before we live in a world that gets angry at stuff that really doesn't matter too much. Maybe the greatest gift we can offer a lost, hurting world is to keep our cool.

Talk to the people who work the counter at any fast food restaurant, and they'll tell you it is refreshing when they have somebody treat them kindly without anger. When we respond to trials in a way that honors God, people notice.

I've had people ask me why and how I don't lose my temper when things go wrong. At that moment, they open the door to tell them, "I'm patient, because Jesus has been patient with me."

Try this: the next time a restaurant gets your order wrong, just let them know and ask kindly if you can get it fixed. The person at the counter will notice and so will the people with you.

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The Daily Bide is brought to you by a team of writers from Youth for Christ/USA. The writers all have various years of experience in youth ministry but share a common bond in serving Jesus and discovering what it means to abide deeply everyday and to connect God's Story with those around them. A number of the Daily Bide writers have also written portions of our 3Story® resources. You can check out our resources at the 3Story.org website or connect with our writers at 3story@yfc.net. If you have a question or a story you would like to share, please reference the Daily Bide date in your email.

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