Anger

Ephesians 4: 26

²⁶Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

We have all been angry and sometimes we either intentionally or unintentionally hold onto that anger far too long.

The author is telling us that although we may be angry, we cannot let it fester. If we don’t work the anger out, then we are letting in the sin. We are allowing the enemy to have a place within us.

The longer we hold onto anger, the more it grows and with that, we allow Satan and his host to work in us with free reign.

By using the author’s example time line, he is suggesting that our wrath must be worked out and dissipated before the end of each day. When the anger is dealt with and truly put in its place within this time frame, there is no foothold for the enemy to latch upon.

Check out my post under Special Occasions, New Years December 28-2015 for more information.

Jehovah-Shalom

Thank you Lord for being such an amazing God. In you I can always find a way to deal with every situation I am faced with, including anger.

Sometimes Lord, I want to hold onto the anger. I’ve been hurt in such a way that the anger is the only thing that keeps me going.

I know that holding it is exactly what the enemy wants. I know Satan is using it to keep my mind occupied. I know better Lord, but he gets in right away, before I have a chance to make the proper and right choices.

Please always help me to see that this is a huge lie from Satan. He jumps in immediately and builds on my feelings. I can feel my heart begin to race, my thoughts run rampant and my blood pressure rises. The enemy is using my hurt and building on it. It’s his main job to keep me from finding a more peaceful way to work out the situation. He does not want me to have the opportunity to call out to you Lord, so he comes in very quickly and in full force.

The enemy knows that when I turn to you I can find true peace. Peace within and without. However, being deprived of you, my anger continues to grow and I will eventually be consumed with a vehement desire to keep the anger alive.

In these situations, I need your help Lord. Please come to my aid. Don’t allow my anger to grow. Help me to forgive immediately (or ask for forgiveness immediately) because with forgiveness, understanding and love, you can help me to let go of the anger before it consumes me.

There is another way the enemy gets a foothold. Sometimes I may believe that I have let go of the anger, but if truthful, I may only show peace on the outside but the anger has actually begun the process of burrowing inside of me.

Help me Lord to find the true peace, the inner peace, the peace that passes understanding. In you, I can find peace, love and forgiveness, in a situation where peace usually can’t be found.

You have so many wonderful attributes that I can cling to while working at letting go of my anger.

Father, you are my peace. The Lord that gives peace, the Lord who brings peace, the Lord who is my peace.

Jehovah-Rapha , which means “the LORD who heals, the LORD who is able to bind up the broken-hearted and the LORD who is able to heal the wounds.”

I am thankful Jehovah-Rapha that you are my Lord.

Thank you.

In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray,

Amen

Proverbs 19:11

11 The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.

We have the choice; to act on our anger immediately or to consciously postpone it or even let it go for good.

There may be many other reasons, beyond what is happening in that particular moment, causing anger to rear its ugly head. By deferring, we stop the anger in its tracks and let it go before it blows up, out of proportion. Setting it aside gives us the chance to cool off enough to objectively consider, not only our side of what is happening, but whether the opposing arguments hold merit.

How can we defer it or just let it go?

1. As soon as the anger starts rising, and before it becomes a situation out of control, we must consciously make a decision to stop immediately.
2. Pray for peace over all people involved.
3. For our part, we must truly let God take over, regardless of what is happening. (Sometimes others can’t or won’t let it go).
4. Ask for the Father’s help for everyone involved to see, with a clear mind, what’s really happening.
5. Call on Jesus and with his strength in us, the anger will dissipate. (I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me).
6. Then ask the Holy Spirit to guide us out of the situation, with love, kindness and forgiveness for everyone involved.

With the help of God (the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit) we CAN put a stop to whatever is happening in the moment and choose to defer it, to another time when we can peacefully and rationally talk about it (if needed). This is wonderful news!

My Father in Heaven,

It is for your glory that I live. I thank you that I am created in your image and that you are willing to teach me how to be more like you.

Father, I know that on a regular basis, I am offended by someone or something, and sometimes I bury the offence and hurt so deep that they affect my soul. The bigger problem is that in many of those times, I keep it all brewing until one day it just explodes.

I need to change and with your strength, I can. Please search me and draw out everything hidden inside me that is not of you and cleanse me, in Jesus’s name. Thank you Father.

From now on, please help me to be on the lookout for situations that would cause me to fail. If any anger, bitterness or anything not of you begins to take hold of me, please allow me to immediately to be aware and turn to you, knowing in faith, that you will come to my rescue.

Allow me, with the strength and power of Christ, to rise above whatever brings me to the point of anger and rebellion. The more I stand in Jesus, the quicker these types of incidents will dissipate.

I know that it pleases you when I walk in peace and in forgiveness. This scripture tells me that when I overcome my transgressions, it brings glory (honour) to my name. Thank you Lord for allowing me the opportunity to live my life in you.

It is my goal to please and honour you. All the glory to you God for all you are and all you do.

In Jesus’ name.

Amen

Note: There is such thing as righteous anger however in this post I am not talking about that kind of anger.

Proverbs 29:11

¹¹ A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise man keepeth it in till afterwards.

If a man tells everything he knows about a subject, all at once, he is then out of the conservation when others are discussing it. If he tries to get back into the subject, all he can do is to rehash what he has already presented. However if he joins in sharing a little bit of information at a time, he adds to the conversation, as it progresses.

If a man is angry and immediately spews out that anger, he may say more than he means to say. However a wise man will hold the anger and let his mind and body relax before he discusses what has made him angry and why.

As a Christian, having a cooling down time allows the anger to be calmed and for peace to come over the situation, through God, before speaking to the other person.

It’s important for us to learn to listen more and speak less and not run on at the mouth in any situation.

Dear Father,

At times, I am like the fool! Whatever comes to mind, I talk about. Many times I don’t even stop long enough to sensor or check out what I am about to say.

However, I am glad to say that with your help, I am learning each day to filter my words and stop the rambling.

I have asked the Holy Spirit to make me very aware of the times I go on and on so that I can stop and hear what others want to say.

Times of anger are sometimes hard for most of us. Anger usually reaches a boiling point and then watching what we say is not our priority. However, with the Holy Spirits guidance, I now take a deep breath and immediately ask for peace to cover the situation and all who are involved. With the covering of peace, the situation is quickly defused.

Father, thank you that I am still learning. Thank you for your leading, loving and especially your patience throughout my training period. I am truly blessed!

In the name of my Lord, Jesus, I pray

Amen

Colossians 3:12-13

12 Put on therefore as the elect of God holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, , if any man have a quarrel against any even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

How often do we hold anger? How often does someone ask for our forgiveness however we are not ready to give it up,  we want to hold onto the anger?

That’s exactly the type of problems that Paul was writing in his letters to the Colossians. He was explaining that as one of the apostles, he had been given the assignment to speak to the Gentiles about God’s love for them.

Paul writes that  the Gentiles, are also considered to be God’s beloved and they have the same holy calling that the Jews have.

When Jesus walked the earth, he lived by certain attributes. Mercy, kindness, humbleness, meekness and longsuffering were just a few. He taught by example and wanted the apostles and saints (believers) to live by them and to go out into the world and teach others to live in the same way.

So here we find Paul writing to the Colossians with the same lesson that he would tell Christians today. We are God’s chosen and as such we are to live in the ways of Jesus. It’s important that we show others that indeed we are somehow different (from the non-believers) and we are to help them to “have what we have”, that is the love of Jesus.

Mercy

When someone is spared from judgement or harm.

To be like Jesus, we must have bowels (lots of) compassion to give to others. We must find our mercy and forgive others, regardless of the situation. Just as Jesus does!

Kindness

Compassionate and generous.

Jesus had compassion and was kind to all he met. He demands that Christians hold the same value.

What is humbleness of mind?

We should not have pride nor be arrogant. We can be the peacemakers if we walk in the spirit of the Holy Ghost, and not in our own strength.

Meekness

Strength under control.

Some people may look at meekness as a weakness but if you’ve ever lived in meekness you would have found that a much strength is used to remain meek.

Longsuffering

Bearing injuries or provocation for a long time; being patient; and not easily provoked.

Forbearance

Is holding back or restraining ourselves from doing something that would be a normal thing to do. It is controlling oneself when provoked. Perhaps showing patience.

Forgiveness

There are two types of forgiveness that appear in the Bible: God’s pardoning of our sins, and our obligation to pardon other people sins.

Forgiveness consists of wiping the slate clean: not to seek revenge (because our heart should no longer be holding anger). Whether someone comes to us asking for forgiveness or we are the ones doing the asking, forgiveness is not given because it’s deserved, but because it’s a gesture of love and grace.

The above are just some of the attributes that Jesus wants us all to have. As his children, we should be walking each day in the footsteps that Jesus left for us to follow.

Some people may find it hard, at first, to let go of the anger. Colossians 3:15 speaks of letting the peace of God rule in our hearts. Perhaps my post on June 5-2015 in the file “Thanksgiving/Gratitude” would help someone who is holding anger and doesn’t know how to let go.

Note:  There are many different situations that may have been horrific for some people and they believe they will never be able to let go.  Some even want to keep their anger, saying they will never let themselves or the person who harmed them, forget it!  We may not ever forget the situation but we can not continue to hold the anger.  To be able to move forward in peace; forgiveness and letting go of the anger is a must!

Just remember, we are all at different stages of our learning and growing. Each day, as we follow Jesus, we will find it easier to follow in His ways.

The important part of the process is to look up what God’s Word says about forgiveness and talk to our wonderful, loving Father, and ask him for help.

Gracious Father in Heaven,

I am so very blessed to be your child. You have chosen me, I am your beloved. You are asking me to have mercy, be kind, be humble, be gentle and forgive in the ways that you always been with me.  It is my job, as your child to love! Love you, love myself, love others.

The attributes spoken in this scripture are to remind me of the way you lived, while as a man on this earth, and the example you set for us to live by.

Thank you Father for teaching me by example. I ask that the Holy Spirit would lead me, guide me and encourage me, so that I can be more like Jesus.

In the divine name of Jesus, I pray.

Amen

James 1:19-20

19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.(KJV)

James is explaining the difference between being a good Christian vs not so good. A good Christian will listen, think before speaking and manage their tempers. We, today are no different than the people in James’ time. We need this lesson as much as they did!

Many of us don’t even listen as someone is talking to us. We are too busy wanting to respond. When it’s our time to talk (and sometimes we don’t even wait for our turn) we blurt out without thinking what our words may be saying or what effect they will have.

The Bible speaks of how the tongue has the means to kill. By speaking without thinking or by talking in anger, many times our unkind words will hurt someone to the core or will kill their spirit of life.

We may be angry at what has been said to us or possibly the way it has been said or perhaps we have taken offence at the body language, so we lash out in anger or perhaps even with wrath. (See definitions below).

There are many types of anger, but James uses the word wrath. James says that when we use wrath, we are not working the righteousness of God.

In this verse, James is explaining how to change and how a Christian should handle the situation.

We must learn to listen carefully to what is being said and then think about what we heard. Then we are to think about the words we are about to use. Following that we should remove anything that God would consider offensive or mean-spirited. And then speak.

Speak only when we have something valuable to say and that which would be useful to the conversation.

We must never let the conversation get out of hand by speaking words of anger. We may at some point want to take them back but won’t be able to.

So, in conclusion, I believe that James is saying, listen carefully to what is being said. Remain focused on the conversation. Listen more than we speak and when we do speak, do not come with wrath because with it, we are not walking with God.

Definitions from www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary

WRATH 1 : strong vengeful anger or indignation 2 : retributory punishment for an offense or a crime : divine chastisement

RIGHTEOUS: acting in accord with divine or moral law : free from guilt or sin. 2. a : morally right or justifiable b : arising from an outraged sense of justice or morality

ANGER: enrage, incense, inflame (also enflame), infuriate, ire, madden, outrage, rankle, rile, roil, steam up, tick off, get one’s goat, rub the wrong way

Note to help remember: There is an old saying – God gave us two ears and only one tongue. This is a perfect example of how we are to listen twice as much as we talk.

Divine Father,

This is an awesome lesson for everyone. Today, everything is rushed including conversations. People, myself included, sometimes just don’t really listen anymore. We hear only a bit of what is being said because our minds are off thinking of the chores we must do today, or thinking of something else. We are only half listening and then when we go to speak, we fill in the gaps of what we think we may have heard. This is where everything falls apart.

Father, I am guilty of speaking and saying something in anger and I ask right now, that you would heal every hurt that I’ve ever caused and please forgive me for all the times I have done this.

I ask Father, in the name of the Son that you would help me to become a better person. Help me to listen intently on what is being spoken to me, let me hear with a loving heart and my mind. When I do speak, allow me to speak words of love, encouragement and kindness.

However Lord, I know there will be times when I will not be pleased with something someone else has said or done. During those times of instant anger, please be with me and help me to stop and cool down before speaking or reacting.

Once the situation has been calmly rectified, may I forgive the person who  came against me and may I let love endure .

Thank you Father that from now on, I will listen carefully, think before speaking and manage my temper. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Praise your mighty name. Hallelujah.

In Jesus’s name I pray.

Amen

1 Corinthians 13:4-5

4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; (KJV)

Charity in this case is considered to be love. Love is something that Jesus showed us while on this earth. The writer is not saying what love feels like but what love is and what it does.

We need to be like God and our love should be long suffering. Our love for one another should endure the test of time. If God’s love is in us, then we should be able to love others. Does this mean we should allow others to do things that hurt or annoy us? No it means that we will pray for them and (if possible) tell the person you don’t like what is happening and keep loving them as they go through the time of learning and growing and changing. Possibly it is us that needs to change and we can talk to the person, explain what is happening and why, and ask if they can keep loving us while we grow and change.

Love is kind.  Do people see Jesus in us on a day to day basis? When we are kind and help others, then people can’t help but see Jesus working in us. They see the love and peace we are in and they are drawn to the Lord also.

Love is not envious. Envy can make people do all sorts of nasty things. Envy should be pushed out of our lives and never be allowed back in. Love should make us happy all the time, even when we or others get something we don’t get.

Our Father is in control of our lives but he has given us free-reign.  He wants us to live and love by his example, however it’s sometimes hard.  Are we envious?  What  if we were supposed to get, a promotion, but Joe got it instead. This is the time where living with love,  we would take a deep breath and go over and congratulate Joe. Saying it through clenched teeth won’t help. It must come from our hearts and we should be happy for Joe. God is looking after us and right now we are exactly where we should be.

Love is not to be conceited. “Look at me, look at what I’ve accomplished.” Or even “look at what God has given to me”. Both statements are supposed to be encouraging other people to see how great we are and/or what fabulous gifts we’ve been given. That’s not love! Love is gracefully accepting something and being happy for it, not being conceited or a braggart.

Love does not behave in a manner which draws attention to oneself, nor does love take pride in itself.

Love does not think only of oneself. We should look around and see who it is that needs help and how can we help them. It should never be about how comfortable we could make ourselves but how we can do something to make another person comfortable.

Love is not easily provoked. We are all easily provoked at times. It seems everyday we run into something that gets under our skin. If we allow this anger to get the better of us, then very soon we are doing or saying or living in a way that is not pleasing to God. We need to catch the anger right away and stomp it into the ground and live in the way Jesus intended.

Love is when we do not think of evil things. We don’t hold onto them. If we do hold onto to hurts, anger, fear or anything which is not of God, then they have a tendency to grow and expand.

Soon that tiny little piece of anger we tucked away has become this huge giant ball of hatred and we’ll be wanting revenge. We must deal with the evil as soon as it hits. We must cover the evil with the blood of Jesus . We can’t give it time to settle in, we must pray over it immediately and have it gone.

We, as Christians know that love is a wonderful feeling that fills our bodies with the love and peace of God. If we keep a good watch and are on the alert for the wickedness of the enemy, then we can overcome Satan’s pitfalls each and every day, with the help of Jesus.

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for love. Thank you Lord that you loved us first and have taught by example.

Father may Jesus always be seen in me. May I always be humble and happy to be a servant to others. May I always see whom you have placed in my path and may I find ways to help them.

Father, I pray that anything I have, anything I do or anything I am in control of, never puffs me up. May I only see you Father leading me in the way I should go.

Thank you Father that I have the blessing of being your child. May I always do your Will Lord and be happy while I am doing it.

In the precious and Holy name of your Son, Jesus Christ, I pray.

Amen.