Well, it seems that the more I write about anger the more opportunity I have to practice what I preach; I’m almost tempted to change the subject. Perhaps you have felt the same way as you have read the past couple days about anger.
Let’s not give up hope, God gives us opportunities to practice what we have learned, and the best part is we can have as many retests as we want (or need). One of the joys of learning to deal properly with our anger is that it frees us from the consequences of anger. Anger only leads us to greater sin. Anger will hurt and destroy relationships in our life. Anger in our life can lead others to become angry, not that we are responsible for their sin, but we can contribute (become a stumbling block).
Our anger will lead us to do things that we regret later… Proverbs 14:17 Short-tempered people do foolish things, and schemers are hated. Yesterday I pointed out that only with God’s help can we overcome anger. We often think that the anger is due to an event or person in our lives, but that’s not true. Anger is an emotion that is in us and the person or thing that causes us to vent is only something that is pressing on the press relief valve. The anger is already within us just waiting to be released.
What can we do?
- We must let God help us release all the pressure that has built up within. The best way is thru praying and reading of God’s word. This helps because we are filled with whatever we put inside of ourselves. Philippians 4:8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable.
- Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. So, our minds are to dwell on good things, not the hurts of the past. Let your mind be filled with God’s love, let your mind dwell on His word, these things will bring healing and peace. Rom. 8:6 So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.
Whatever we let our minds dwell on will control our destiny. If we think on fleshly things it will lead to death, instead let your mind be filled and controlled by the Spirit. God is the answer to our anger problem, with His help we can have victory.
This victory is not always easy because it requires us to be honest with ourselves before God. It means that we must give Him permission to examine and clean out every area of our heart and mind. It requires a total surrender of our lives to God’s will. If you hold back any part and do not let go, then that area will not be cleaned. The “cancer” that is left no matter how small we think it might be will only grow until it destroys us. I pray today that we let go of our anger and let God heal and restore our peace and joy.
Anchor In The Storm 