Anger: July 20, 2010

Today's Word for Tuesday July 20, 2010

ANGER

DEFINITION

A strong feeling of displeasure aroused by a real or supposed wrong; wrath; a sudden violent displeasure accompanied by an impulse to retaliate.

SCRIPTURE

"The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy" Psalm 103:8

"Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor and evil speaking be put away from you." Ephesians 4:31

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

It takes an unusual temperament for a person not to show ANGER at some point in his or her life. One of the concepts we attempted to teach our children, using verses from the Bible, was that when one was angry he or she never came out a winner. Families constantly face situations that can erupt in anger. Parents get upset at children over an issue. Children get upset with parents over set boundaries. Children get upset at their siblings over "things". Husbands and wives get upset at each other over small and large concerns.

Anger is a destructive emotion and nothing good comes from it. Anger affects us physically. No one ever comes out feeling good after an angry fight. Anger severs relationships. Nothing good ever comes from it. That is why Paul strongly advises us in Ephesians 4:31 to put away all our anger. In other words, get rid of it.

The scripture gives us clear guidelines as to how we should handle those "ANGRY MOMENTS." In Proverbs 17:27 it reads: "He who has knowledge spares his words". This means that we need to keep to ourselves opinions that we know could ignite anger in others. Certain personalities have trouble with this concept because just by their nature they want to stir up conflict. It is human nature to want to "have the last word." We must learn to think before we speak and remember God's admonition from Proverbs to SPARE OUR WORDS.

In Proverbs 17:27 the Lord gives us another concept. "A man of understanding is of a calm spirit". This verse gives us counsel concerning the emotional side of anger. A mature person, one that lives by God's Word, always exhibits understanding by keeping cool in a time of conflict. Problem solving is always enhanced by an even tempered approach. The key to controlling anger is to STOP when a conflict begins and ask God for a calm spirit and a cool head. The best time to stop an argument is before it starts. Remember "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger" Proverbs 15:1.

Today is a good day to commit to eliminating anger in your life. When you spend time every day reading the Bible and communicating to God through prayer, God will give you understanding and a calm spirit to enable you to control your anger.

LEARNING

Our memory verse for this week is found in Ephesians 6:1

Children obey your parents in the Lord for this is right.

PRAYER

Thank You, dear Lord, for giving to me this day, self control in all of my words and deeds. Help me to rely on the leading of the Holy Spirit in my life today and may others see through me the fruits of the Spirit controlling my life. Help me to honor God, my family, my neighbors and my friends today in all that I do and say.