When we sober up and come into recovery, most of us quickly recognize that we have an anger problem. Losing our temper over something said or done and allowing anger to take control does great damage. While we may think that expressing anger is a sign of strength, it is actually allowing our weakness to show. For us to get well we need to learn new ways to handle stressful, irritating, and fearful circumstances.
Don’t become angry quickly. Anger lives in the hearts of foolish people. (Ecclesiastes 7:9 NIRV)
It is equally damaging to keep anger bottled up inside. It hurts and keeps on hurting us and too often turns to resentment and bitterness that leads to emotional and physical illness. The longer we allow anger to live in us, the less effective we will be in the work that we were created to do that will bring us joy and satisfaction. My dear friends, you should be quick to listen and slow to speak or to get angry. If you are angry, you cannot do any of the good things that God wants done. (James 1:19-20 CEV)
Most anger management programs train us to deal with anger that has risen within us. God wants us to go one level deeper and let Him help us deal with the improper desires that fuel the rise. God’s word tells us that selfishness is at the root of much of our anger. God's best anger management tool is prayer – to tell God what is going on and ask God for what we need.
Do you know where your fights and arguments come from? They come from the selfish desires that make war inside you. You want things, but you don’t get them. So you kill and are jealous of others. But you still cannot get what you want. So you argue and fight. You don’t get what you want because you don’t ask God. (James 4:1-2 ERV)
We are too familiar with getting what we want when we want it. With God’s help we can be gracious and patient with others because we have learned to trust God for what we need.
Prayer: Loving God, forgive me for my selfishness and impatience which fuel my irritation and angry outbursts. Help me to bring my problems to You in prayer and receive the help and direction You are willing to give, so that peace may reign in my heart. Amen
©2020 Partners in Hope
More information on this and other related topics @ http://www.partnersinhope.ca/life-with-god-in-recovery-resources/
Audio for Anger Management 101
Recent Meditations
Giving Hope
Partners in Hope is supported wholly by our friends and community. We are thankful to everyone who partners with us to help bring hope to the discouraged, hurting, and hopeless.