I was in Jr. High and my folks were doing an excellent job of raising me, yet I thought they were doing a terrible job. I recall an instance where they told me that I couldn’t continue dating a certain girl and I got angry, I mean I got really mad. I stomped out of the house in the dead of winter, in Iowa, without my coat; I was steaming mad. I got into our white, 1982 Pontiac and I slammed the door shut, I was fuming. I was so mad I punched the dashboard. I don’t know if you’ve ever struck frozen plastic, but for your information, it cracks. There was a dent in the dashboard the size of my fist.
I don’t punch things any more but I do wrestle with anger from time to time.
The truth about anger is that: the direction of our anger has the potential to harm us or heal us. What we do with our anger can cause more harm to us, or perhaps harm to others, or we can allow our anger to move us in the direction of healing.
There is a healthy way to deal with anger. And all anger is not wrong. Ephesians 4:26, “In your anger do not sin.”
It surprises some people that Jesus got angry, note Mark 3:5,6 “He (Jesus) looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored. Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.”
Notice the Pharisees reaction; they got angry and the direction of their anger resulted in their desire to harm someone else.
Instead of allowing His anger to cause Him to sin, Jesus’ anger caused Him to do something righteous. Instead of anger harming Him, very literally the result was healing.
The direction of your anger has the potential to harm you or heal you. If you’ve got an anger that is hurting other people, hurting your relationships or hurting you, you’ve got to drop it. If you are angry at the things that anger the heart of God then you need to do something about it.
Oh my dear honey, I remember that too. We knew she was not a person we wanted you to be around. It was tough and I felt bad for you, but we love you so and just want the best for you. Just as our Heavenly father does for all of us. Our Heavenly Dad will put His foot down with all of us. It is hard, and hard to accept. Love will always prevail. Love you as always. Mom
ReplyDeleteDon’t sin by letting anger gain control over you, think about it overnight and remain silent.
ReplyDelete~ Psalm 4:4, NLT
So many times, anger does indeed cause us to do things that we regret almost imediately. Whether its acting out physically or verbally. Its hard. But If we can just stop, think about or "count to ten" we'll see that our anger will not only hurt ourselves and possibly others, but also God as well.
Unfortunately, anger is something I confront almost on a daily basis at work...even though I know it is only harming me. In fact, I came home night before last with chest pains because I had gotten so angry over something. God and I have talks about this quite often. I haven't overcome it. Still trying to do better...
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