Chapter 1 – Anger
 

Ephesians 4:26-27 (WEB) (26) Be angry, and don’t sin. Don’t let the sun go down on your wrath and (27) don’t give place to the devil.

The dictionary describes anger as a strong feeling of annoyance, displeasure, or hostility. Taking this into consideration and with all of the things going on in the world today, you don’t have to look far to find something or someone that will cause you to become angry sooner or later. The catch is not when you get angry, but how you handle that anger. That will determine what kind of life you will have.
 

For Example: Do you get angry when you feel someone has mistreated you? Or you become angry because your candidate did not win?

Perhaps you get angry when you can’t get what you want or when people are not moving fast enough for you. You may be sitting at a red light behind another driver and when the light turns green, the person in front of you does not move fast enough, so you become angry with them. You may even have words for the individual. You speed off because you are so angry. If you become involved in an accident, what time did you really save? You might become injured, injure someone, or even take the life of someone else.

I can recall someone telling me a story that illustrates this. They were driving on the expressway doing the limit because they were feeling pretty good and not in a hurry.  Their family was in the car. The driver behind them became so upset because he felt they should have been going faster. He changed lanes abruptly and pulled in front of them but rather than continuing to go about his business, the driver became so angry that he hung his head out the window while driving to cuss them out not realizing that a huge truck pulled in front of him. He had to slam on his brakes and swerved to avoid running into the back of the truck. The driver that was driving the speed limit was able to continue on and move right past the angry driver who by this time was trying to regain his composure.
 

I want to ask you this question. Think about it? What did the angry driver accomplish by driving this way, except for adding more stress into an already stressful life? We have to realize that stress can ruin your health?

Someone once told me that they do not have a bit of stress in their life. They feel great because they always tell people how they feel, good, bad or indifference and then they let it go. I have no comment about whether or not that is the right way to approach the situation but I do know that we all need to sit back, think, relax and speak with God before we react.

Some other things to think about are: Do you get angry when someone says something to you? Why? What difference does it make? Why does it matter what they are saying? As a Christian, you should be more concern about what God has to say anyway. Are you angry because you feel other people do not respect your authority, feelings or property?  Do you feel angry because someone interrupted you while you were trying to get your point across? Why? You are the one that will suffer behind it, not them.

I have been there myself and at times it hurt so bad that I had to fall to my knees and ask God for help.  I personally have found that talking to God is the best medicine when I feel myself getting angry. Sitting on the couch, complaining to someone else or fussing about it on the telephone is not the way to go. I had to decide to let go and let God help me.

I want to let you know that all anger is not bad. You might have had an injustice inflicted upon or against you and it is okay and appropriate to get angry about it. Even Jesus became angry with the money changers. He was showing Zeal (passion) about how they were misusing his Father’s house.

John 2:17 WEB (17) His disciples remembered that it was written, Zeal for your house will eat me up.

He also became angry and annoyed when the pharisees refused to answer his questions. They showed a lack of faith.

Mark 3:5 (WEB) (5) When he had looked around at them with anger, being grieved at the hardening of their hearts, he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored as healthy as the other.

A bright side of Anger is that it can motivate you to help others. One example of that is being angry about the homeless situation or abuse and brutality that is going on in our country today. That might just motivate you to do something to change things.

Maybe someone you loved deeply cheated on you. They swore to love you but now have betrayed your trust. Or perhaps you have been violated sexually by a person that was supposed to protect you. The one that cause the harm will more than likely move on with their life and never give you a second thought while you are left in shambles.  What about someone verbally causing you harm in front of your religious leader and rather than addressing the situation he turns his back on you. When I think about anger the key is to not let anger consume you. Pray on it and move on. Get over it and try not to dwell on it.

Sure, it hurts and you are told to forgive them which is easier said than done.

We all get angry but you need to sit back and relax. Read the bible and ask God to show you where the anger came from and how to deal with it. Don’t let anyone steal your peace of mind. Stop panicking and letting people push your button.

You might be asking yourself is anger sinful? It can be when it is motivated by pride or allowed to linger because you are no longer focusing on the work of God and this hinders his purpose for your life. If you are going to be angry make sure it is for the right reason and control it. Don’t let it control you so you do something you will regret later on in life. That is the dark side of anger which leads to destruction.

Again, instead of getting angry, you should try to calm down and read the word of God. It would be helpful if you memorize some verses on anger so when the devil pushes your button you know how to fight back with the word. God is your Heavenly Father and he cares about you so much. Ask him for help and then don’t take matters into your own hands. Be still, wait and listen and he will not only fight for you but guide and help you get pass what you are going through. You will begin to have peace and lead a more fulfilled life.

Don’t let uncontrolled anger get the best of you and make you miserable enough to cause all sorts of challenges and problems. Life is too short for that. The Lord knows we are going to get angry that is why he said don’t let the sun go down when you are angry because it would leave a hole for the devil to sneak in. Satan wants you to become angry and take your mind off of God.

A few of God’s Words on Anger:

Proverbs 14:29 (WEB) (29) He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a quick temper displays folly.

James 1:19-20 (WEB) (19) So, then, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger; (20) for the anger of man doesn’t produce the righteousness of God.