Anger
Ephesians 4:26-27
In your anger do not sin; Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.
Anger is one of our most basic negative emotions. When we are angry, this is telling us something is wrong. When anger erupts in us we are trying to protect something good that we don’t want to lose. When we are threatened with the feeling that we are going to lose something that matters to us, we get angry. I have seen parents tell their children to suppress their anger, really telling them not to be in touch with what really matters to them. Anger is a warning that something that matters to us is in danger and shows us what needs to be protected. The caution our verses for today is giving is not to sin in our trying to resolve the problem. We must not try to resolve a problem in an unloving way that could truly hurt us as well as those we are angry with. Headaches and ulcers, to disorders that effect our character, fostering ripening passive-aggressive behavior, to serious depression and panic attacks. Most of us have struggled at one time or another in our lives with at least one or more of these symptoms of suppressed anger. Bitterness is another outcome of not dealing with and denying our anger. This leads to an unforgiving and critical spirit. Hebrews 12:15 tells us, “See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.” This is an open invitation to Satan to come and take control. When we allow bitterness to stay in our hearts and thinking, it is an open door with a big sign “Welcome” to the enemy of our souls. We must own our anger, rather than suppress and deny it. Take a good long look at your anger and evaluated it. This will tell us what we are trying to protect. It could be a vulnerability that is being protected or someone controlling us. We could be under great condemnation that someone has put on us by demanding perfectionism from us. Don’t ever deny your anger but work to figure out its source. We could be protecting something we have done, or bad feelings we may have because we have tried to control someone who we now are losing that control. Anger is a funny thing. We can lay it down, even receive inner healing, and then have to interact with that person again, or even go through a similar situation that is happening of what we have been through, and anger will rear its ugly head yet again. Learn the art of repeated committal. God knows all about it and He wants to us to live free. If this happens to you, just go to the Lord again and lay it down again. Our heavenly Father understands and is waiting with open arms to heal and comfort us. He knows your heart and wants you to live free and clear without anger in your life. In fact He wants His joy to be your strength. Blessings on your day.
What about you? Are you struggling with an anger issue today? Can you find a quiet place and lay it all down before the Lord? Maybe you feel like you can’t do it by yourself. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you and give Him every detail and every thought and emotion fully over to Him. He will set you free! He cares and loves you so! Have a great day in Him.
