Anger

This can be a hot topic of discussion as this emotion can cause more harm than good most of the time.  Anger can be an emotion that is helpful when I’m hurt or harmed, and I need to push through. Anger can also be an emotion that is extremely destructive and wiping out tons of relationship in its wake.  I grew up with some “short fuses” – people who get angry quickly. I also witnessed the diffusion of hot-headed people by calm and cool-headed people.

I’ve always thought anger was sinful until I read about it in scripture. God gets angry at sin and wickedness.  I love what David says about anger. Check this out….

Don’t sin by letting anger control you. Think about it overnight and remain silent. (Psalm 4:4 NLT)

Anger is an emotion that comes on me quickly and it’s almost overwhelming. If I can catch it early enough, I can divert the emotion before saying or doing something stupid in response.

I can feel the tension rising in the book of Job as his friends start pushing hard on Job. They don’t always have bad counsel, but Job sure doesn’t want to hear it. Check this out….

² “How long before you stop talking?
    Speak sense if you want us to answer!
³ Do you think we are mere animals?
    Do you think we are stupid?
⁴ You may tear out your hair in anger,
    but will that destroy the earth?
    Will it make the rocks tremble? (Job 18:2-4 NLT)

I have been so angry that I have felt like pulling my hair out. I’ve been so angry that I have a hard time controlling what I say and how I say it.  I have to slow down. I sometimes have to take a walk. I want to be wise in how I control my anger. I want to be wise in how I diffuse anger in others.

I heard an older person say that “the measure of a person’s character is the amount it takes to ‘get their goat’”.  I want to show some measure of great strength even when I’m extremely angry. I want to take deep breaths. I want to pray for the Presence of God in my response. I read throughout scripture at God’s anger toward sin. I know the anger is not the problem; it’s how I express the anger that is the issue.

I want to become a person of deep discernment rather than a short-fused, hot-headed person. I want to develop great inner strength and self-discipline when dealing with difficult people. I want my words to show great strength, purpose and on point without being hate-filled and reckless.  This starts now as I begin my day.

Pressing On!

Dwayne