Chuck Norris Devotional

Sep/Oct 2005

Our favorite Texas Ranger talks about the battles men face.

By Chuck Norris

I believe the challenges men face today are no different than the challenges men have faced for decades. Here are three of the challenges we must face and conquer:

1. WHAT WE SAY CAN BUILD OR DESTROY. The tongue can be used either as a verbal weapon or a helpful tool, hurting relationships or building them up. The tongue is the smallest part of your body, but it is the hardest part to control. I like to describe it this way: A ship is large, but it is steered by a very small object-the rudder, which is your tongue. The course of the ship is in the hands of the pilot (you) who has control of the direction of that ship (your life). It can steer you safely or destructively.

In the book of James, the Bible compares the damage the tongue can do to a raging fire (see James 3:5-6). Before you speak, remember your words are like a fire; you can neither control nor reverse the damage they can do. Like a fire, words can spread destruction quickly. No one can stop the results once they are spoken. Even if you can apologize later, the scars are still there. A few words spoken in anger can destroy a friendship or relationship that took years to build.

Anger is a very difficult emotion to control. When someone does something to you or says something about you, you immediately want to strike back. I remember when I was in the Karate business and was forced to sell one of my Karate studios. The man who bought it would not take my name off the front of the studio as he had agreed to do. When I approached him about it, he said, "Sue me." I wanted to do more than that, but I saw a lawsuit in the making so I just barely controlled my temper. Eventually my name was taken off the front of the studio, but I could not overcome my anger toward this man.

One day I was talking with a very good friend and this man's name came up. I said, "If there is one person in this world I hate, it is him." Of course, as fate would have it, Gena and I were reading the Bible soon afterward and we came across scriptures about anger. The Bible tells us that anger is a great sin because it violates God's command to love.

Anger can cause seething, brooding and bitterness in every fiber of your being. I have to say that's what it did to me. The only person it was hurting was me.

This man didn't care how I felt about him. The Bible reminded me that I should not condemn him, but forgive him. I want to tell you that's exactly what I did, because as I read more scriptures on anger, I realized that anger keeps us from developing a spirit that's pleasing to God. And I sure did NOT want to upset Him!

2. WORRY. In this career-driven world, it is very difficult not to worry about every problem--whether it is personal, financial or social. I'm as guilty as the next guy. But Jesus tells us not to worry about those needs that God promises to supply (see Matt. 6:25). Worry can damage your health. The object of your worry can consume your thoughts, disrupt your productivity, negatively affect the way you treat others and reduce your ability to trust in God. The Bible tells us to remember there is a difference between worry and genuine concern. Worry immobilizes, but concern moves you to action.

3. MONEY IS NOT THE ROOT OF EVIL, BUT THE LOVE OF MONEY IS! You know the problem with loving money? Enough is never enough. If you try to gain happiness by accumulating wealth you will never have enough. It can lead you down a road of total discontent and misery (see Timothy 6:10). If your whole life is spent trying to make money and you neglect the people important in your life, you will create an emptiness deep in your heart and soul. I know, I fell into that trap. I dedicated my whole life to fame and fortune. I had a huge hole in my heart and was extremely miserable until I met my wife who brought me back to the Lord.

As you face the challenges life brings, remember that God surrounds us, enfolds us, protects us and watches over us, wherever we are. Jeremiah 29:11 says: "'For I know the plans I have for you,' says the Lord. 'They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope'" (NLT).