Anger

 Anger in our society is rampant.  Most of us have a hard time dealing with anger.  Some of us may have a history of rage.  Others of us learned early in life to smother our feelings to help control anger.  Anger will harm our relationships whether we explode or clam up, hold a grudge, or simply let bitterness take root in us and fill us with self-pity. 

 The Bible has much to say about an out-of-control angry person.  Not much of it is good.  

Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.  If you stay calm, you are wise, but if you have a hot temper, you only show how stupid you are.  (Ecclesiastes 7:9, NIV, Proverbs 14:29 GNB)

 For most of us the question is not “Do I get angry?”  We know we do.  Some questions we need to ask ourselves about anger include: “What’s the real root of my anger?”  “Do I want to get rid of anger?”  “What am I willing to do to be free from destructive anger?” 

 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.  (Ephesians 4:31-32 NIV)

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, help me identify and deal with the root of my anger.  You know the situations in my life where I have felt helpless and just stuffed all that I was feeling.  Help me to grieve, in a healthy way, all the events that contributed to my dysfunctional way of thinking and behaving.  Help me to forgive and grace others in the same way You have forgiven and graced me.  I choose to let go of my old way of handling troublesome events. With Your help, I choose to live with self-control in the power of Your Holy Spirit.  Amen

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