Trading Anger for Joy

…and you gave me a new song, a song of praise to you. Many will see this, and they will honor and trust you, the Lord God.

Psalm 40:3 (CEV)

Betty Olsen was always angry. She was so angry people didn’t want to be around her. Why was she so mad? Maybe because her mom died and she had to go to school in Africa, which was so far from her home in America.

Betty wanted to be a missionary—to help others and tell them about Jesus—but people questioned why she was always angry. Finally, a pastor helped her. After a lot of praying and reading the Bible, Betty found the joy that comes only from God.

Betty went to work in a hospital in Vietnam. Sadly, a war was going on and Betty was captured by the enemies. She was treated terribly by the guards. Do you think she got angry at them? Maybe a bit, but she held her temper. People said she was kind even to the guards!

That’s what God can do! He can change an angry person and help them to find a deep joy that changes the way they feel, act, and see life. Do you want that kind of joy today?

HERO TRAINING

Today’s Bible verse talks about singing a new song to God. Do you ever sing to God? Maybe at church or Sunday School… but how about in your everyday life at home? When you are playing outside? When you are cleaning your room? You can sing to God anywhere! Sing a new song to God from your heart today. He will be so glad to hear it!

GOD'S WONDERFUL WORLD

The brown thrasher bird knows the most songs to sing—about one thousand of them! How many songs do you know?

KEEP IT GOING

Related passages: These additional verses will help expand your children's Scriptural knowledge and place on the armor of God’s Word to tackle each day. Swipe to read the passages today.

Psalm 103:10

Isaiah 43:25

Matthew 16:25–26

John 12:24–25