Being human, it’s only normal to get angry, it’s how we handle our anger that we must consider. When I was younger I had a ton of anger built up in me which lead to me getting into many fights. My friends and I used to go out just to find someone to even just make a slight gesture that they had a problem with us. It didn’t matter where we were, it could be the Gibraltar fair, Mount Clemons car show, a concert, you name it we were always more than happy to throw hands and usually got what we were looking for. Looking back, I thank God I never got in trouble with the law or shot, many of my friends were not so lucky. Back then I know I didn’t handle my anger as I should have, even being a Christian. I used to pray before I got into a fight that God would give me strength to defeat my enemy. How silly is that huh?
“Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil. Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:” - Ephesians 4:26-31
If you ask me Ephesians 4:26 – 31 really sums up how we should deal with our anger as Christians. It says clear as day that it is ok / normal to be angry but in your anger do not sin.
Ephesians goes on to say that you should not hold onto your anger for even a day. To hold a grudge and stay angry at someone will not please God, but Satan instead. The verse also states that you should not talk down upon and / or negatively of or to those you are angry at. I cannot tell you how many times I used to give piece of my mind to those I was angry or upset with or would talk to others about the person that angered me. We as Christians should avoid doing this. God knows what happened, we must learn to hand it over to him. As it says in Romans 12:19 Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
Don’t take matters into your own hands by being bitter, holding a grudge, expressing rage and anger, getting into fights, talking down and negatively, and refrain from the intention or desire to do evil; ill will to those that angered you.
“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. – Romans 12:19”
Jesus loves us so much that he promised to take control of the burdens that we lay down at his feet. We all must have complete faith that the one who died for us and rose again is capable of anything and everything. Let God be the judge, do not let anger control you, show love.
Let us pray:
Lord Jesus please take away my anger and teach me to love my enemies. God please help me understand and have full faith that you will forever be with me and handle my wrongdoers as you promised. Help me to keep my sin at bay and instead show your loving grace through my anger Lord God, so that I can continue to lead others to you. For I have one purpose on this earth and being angry will do nothing but take away from that purpose. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
