ANGER

People get angry about many different things. If a friend of ours gets hurt, we get angry at circumstances or people that might have done the hurting. If our parents won’t let us do something, we get angry with them.

What do most instances of anger have in common? As I pondered that question, I concluded that most anger comes from one thing…

The inability to control our own circumstances.

Stop and think about different times that you have become angry. Do they fit into this category? Below I’ve broken down some of the sub-headings under not begin able to control circumstances and some examples from the Bible…

Not getting something you want (Jealousy, envy)

Genesis 4:5-8 – Cain killed Abel because God liked Abel’s offering better than his offering.

Not understanding circumstances

Numbers 2:27 – Balaam’s donkey laid down when it saw an Angel and would not speak any more. Balaam did not see the Angel.

Not getting your own way

Numbers 24:10-11 – Balak was angry with Balaam for blessing Israel rather than cursing them as he wanted.

Not having your advice or instructions followed

Matthew 2:16 – The Wise Men didn’t come back and report to Herod about the location of the baby Jesus as he told them to.

Not hearing what you want to hear from someone (broken expectations)

Acts 7:54-58 – Stephen told the High priest and those with Him that Jesus was the Messiah and they were in the wrong

So what is the answer? How can we stop getting angry about all these things?

¹²Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. ¹³Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. Romans 6:12-13 (NLT)

Giving ourselves completely to God is the only answer! He desires the best for our lives and anger does not help us achieve that…

¹⁹Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. ²⁰Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. James 1:19-20 (NLT)

SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM OF GOD