Mole Hills

by Steve Hale

"Be angry, and do not sin, do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil" (Eph 4:26, 27, NKJV).

Our back yard is a small city for moles. The area all around the backyard shop looks like the marines have landed and have dug foxholes. But, they're not foxholes, but mole hills. I'll never look at the cliche "don't make a mountain out of a mole hill" the same.
It feels like I'm mowing the darkside of the moon now. I've put out chewing gum, turned the dog loose and dug after them. I can't get rid of these moles!
Now where there was once lush grass, the dust flies! Weedeating, mowing, and yard work are more reminiscent of the dustbowl than beautiful Middle Tennessee. Ankles have been turned and toes stubbed in and out of these mole hills.
The worst time was one night when I went out to feed Blackie, my Dad's Scottish Terrior. With a bucket of water in one hand, and her dog food in the other my right foot hit the side of a mole hill. I could feel the pain shoot down my big toe! Blackie looked bewildered as I hopped around trying to relieve the pain.
We've all experienced this...a flash of anger in a twinkling of an eye. It's okay to be angry. While we are angry, though, we must not sin. While we might go "mole hunting" when we're angry, we shouldn't drive a car or lash out at a loved one. We could work, walk, or find other ways to vent our "angry energy." Vicious words, irresponsible behavior, and violence are poor ways to vent our "angry energy."
Solomon said: "make no friendship with an angry man, And with a furious man do no go, Lest you learn his ways And set a snare for your soul" ( Proverbs 22:24-25). Anger is addictive, and this pattern will "rub off" on us if wekeep company with hot-tempered people. If you practice handling problems with anger, it will become your habit. Seldom do we lash out like that at strangers, but to those who are close to us.
Solomon also said: "A fool vents all his feelings, But a wise man holds them back" ( Proverbs 29:11). The anger needs to be controlled positively because we are a meek people ( Matthew 5:5). "...don't make a mountain out of a mole hill" with ill-used anger!

May 26, 1996

Related Articles:

When Brethren Let You Down -Apr 07, 1991
Church Discipline -Sep 24, 1989
How to Split a Church -Jul 09, 1989

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Mole Hills by Steve Hale "Be angry, and do not sin, do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil" (Eph 4:26, 27, NKJV). Our back yard is a small city for moles. The area all around the backyard shop looks like the marines have landed and have dug foxholes. But, they're not foxholes, but mole hills. I'll never look at the cliche "don't make a mountain out of a mole hill" the same. It feels like I'm mowing the darkside of the moon now. I've put out chewing gum, turned the dog loose and dug after them. I can't get rid of these moles! Now where there was once lush grass, the dust flies! Weedeating, mowing, and yard work are more reminiscent of the dustbowl than beautiful Middle Tennessee. Ankles have been turned and toes stubbed in and out of these mole hills. The worst time was one night when I went out to feed Blackie, my Dad's Scottish Terrior. With a bucket of water in one hand, and her dog food in the other my right foot hit the side of a mole hill. I could feel the pain shoot down my big toe! Blackie looked bewildered as I hopped around trying to relieve the pain. We've all experienced this...a flash of anger in a twinkling of an eye. It's okay to be angry. While we are angry, though, we must not sin. While we might go "mole hunting" when we're angry, we shouldn't drive a car or lash out at a loved one. We could work, walk, or find other ways to vent our "angry energy." Vicious words, irresponsible behavior, and violence are poor ways to vent our "angry energy." Solomon said: "make no friendship with an angry man, And with a furious man do no go, Lest you learn his ways And set a snare for your soul" ( Proverbs 22:24-25). Anger is addictive, and this pattern will "rub off" on us if wekeep company with hot-tempered people. If you practice handling problems with anger, it will become your habit. Seldom do we lash out like that at strangers, but to those who are close to us. Solomon also said: "A fool vents all his feelings, But a wise man holds them back" ( Proverbs 29:11). The anger needs to be controlled positively because we are a meek people ( Matthew 5:5). "...don't make a mountain out of a mole hill" with ill-used anger! May 26, 1996 Related Articles: When Brethren Let You Down -Apr 07, 1991 Church Discipline -Sep 24, 1989 How to Split a Church -Jul 09, 1989 Print this Article Discuss this Article Back to the Sermon Page	Mt. Juliet Church of Christ 1940 N. Mt. Juliet Road P.O.Box 248 Mt.Juliet, TN 37122-0248 (615)758-2274 Fax:615-754-2351 Email Worship Services: Sunday Early Worship: 8AM Sunday Bible Study: 9:15AM Sunday Late Worship: 10:15AM Night Worship: 6PM Wednesday Bible Study: 7PM