"Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry." James 1:19 NLT
Thoughts for Today - Anger is a God-given emotional energy designed for good. It can lead to sin, but doesn't have to. We can control our thoughts and actions. We can stop allowing anger to master us. The Bible teaches that we should not be quick-tempered.
We need to slow down and think about things before we respond in anger. We have all blurted out hurtful angry remarks and then wished we could take the words back. Slowing down can help us avoid these situations.
Consider this… The next time someone does or says something that you don't like—stop! Take a deep breath. Consider your response. You can avoid a lot of hurt and regret by making the right choices at this point.
"And 'don’t sin by letting anger control you.' Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry." Ephesians 4:26 NLT
Another Thought for Today - Above we looked at the importance of being slow to anger—to listen well and not react impulsively. But the Bible also tells us to deal with the anger appropriately. We shouldn't wait for days, weeks, months or even years to pass before we talk with someone we may have hurt or reacted to in anger. Delay could cause greater pain for everyone concerned. In fact, God's Word instructs us to deal with anger the same day it occurs. "Do not let the sun go down …"
Deal with your anger while there is opportunity to do so. Don't let it stockpile in a slush fund of repressed and denied angry feelings—feelings that may surface at unexpected times, causing you to hurt someone you care about. Lingering anger can develop into bitterness and resentment, leading to emotional, spiritual and even physical problems.
Consider this… When you are angry at someone, think about why you are angry. Ask God to help you understand your feelings and to express them appropriately. And then tell the other person(s) involved how you feel. If you have hurt them or treated them unfairly, ask for their forgiveness. And always be quick to forgive them.
Is there someone you should talk to today?
Prayer - Father, help me look beyond what people say and see their heart. Forgive me for the times I've responded too quickly—and foolishly—in anger. Teach me to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Lord, help me understand my feelings and learn to express them appropriately. Help me not to take offense easily, but when I am angry, help me to settle things quickly… and in love. Help me not to let the sun go down on my anger. In Jesus' name …
8 comments:
I could really benefit from learning to use this with my kids. It is so hard some times, especially when you have gently asked them several times not to do something or say something, to continue to respond in a calm way. Loving correction is not my strong point. If loving = marine corp-like, I have nailed it. In addition, I probably can do this to my wife as well. When taking a deep breath and thinking about a response and what the impact the comment might have would likely prevent a tremendous amount of regret about what I have said. My prayer today is for wisdom and patience.
Blessings,
cas
Anger is a control thing for me or 'out of control' thing. I usually lash out when I'm frustrated because I feel that I've lost control of a situation or a person (my kids). My tongue gets really sharp really quickly.
My youngest has a problem with anger as well. I see so much of myself in her.
This verse has been a great help to me in dealing with my anger. This devotional is truly a help. CAS thanks for your transparency.
I find that my anger is really dubious - especially with my wife. I don't blow up. Instead, I calmly do and say things that I know will "put her in her place" and give me the upper hand. It's really a sick disease I have, and I would appreciate your prayers for me as I try to stop, take a deep breath, and show my wife love even when I'm mad.
A preconceived "acceptability" is at the core of much of my anger. Whether it is the cleanliness of my house, the stability of my finances, or the results of my parenting skills reflected through my kids, it all comes down to personal failure reflected by falling short of my own expectations. I understand imperfection in a fallen world, yet I am often frustrated by my own inability to achieve or produce. Affirmation is surely what I feed off of, yet it comes so infrequently. I must learn how to replace anger with contentment.
tbs
Well, I just failed the test. I was some what slow to anger in a conversation about home improvement, but still did not follow my own suggestion written only a few hours earlier. Boiled over..... I pray for the same thing DSD said, and that I can show my wife Christ's love even when I am mad. I too, could certainly use some prayers on this.
Blessings
cas
It is so easy for me to fly off the handle and fall backward onto old habits that are better left forgotten. It is so hard for me to express my feelings and to see what is at the core of my anger. I do think some of it is my expectations as TBA said. I also think it's my expectations of others. But when I realize how good God is to me. When I remember the many blessings He's showered on me, I can calm down be thankful. And in my thankfulness, calm down.
Like all of you above, I must also learn to deal with anger in a better way.
"And 'don’t sin by letting anger control you.' Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry." Ephesians 4:26 NLT
I often relate anger and not talking to the person about the "issue" to a wound. If I don't look at the wound and do something about it, the wound can become infected and a lot worst. No one likes being sick unnecessarily ... and it works for me most of the time.
LT
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