God’s word gives us many warnings about this emotion. We can get angry in an instant if someone pokes our sore spot that we may be carrying around. Some come from a family where tempers were short and abusive; it takes a lot not to carry this into our own lives. When someone attacks us in anger we want to hit back. The thing about this is it never really accomplishes what we want because the other person usually only feels justified in their attack on that person then. This leaves both carrying anger and hurt away into their hearts and minds that can be recounted to many others and made to fester and grow not only in ourselves but those we tell what happened. This is another weed the devil likes to use and the more he can dig it in the more control we give away. Every thorn we allow to stay can be poked and fed again. As it gets bigger it is allowed to take up space in our hearts and minds where love should be.
Proverbs 15:1 A soft word turns away wrath. But a harsh word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 22:24-25 Make no friendship with an angry man, and with a furious man do not go. Lest you learn his ways and set a snare for your soul.
Proverbs 29:22 An angry man stirs up strife, and a furious man abounds in transgression.
Proverbs 25:28 Whoever has no rule over his spirit is like a city broken down, without walls.
Many may think, “It is only words.” Remember God SPOKE ALL THINGS INTO EXISTENCE. There is good anger. Good anger should spur us to good action. We may be angry about homelessness and it spurs us to volunteer to help build homes for habitat for humanity or another organization, we may be angry about children going hungry so we donate to our local food back or volunteer in some way. Good anger brings loving change. If we lift our voices in prayer for those things that make us angry God hears. God may lead us to help in some way or we pray for those with the ability or gifts to help in whatever field is needed. God brings lasting change in us. God is love.
Ephesians 4:26-27 Be angry and do not sin, do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil.
Words do matter! We can all struggle with expressing ourselves in healthy ways but being slow to speak and quick to listen helps because often we may see the pain behind the anger. A simple prayer can bring peace to us if not the one who is angry.
