Yes, I Get Angry!

I’m a Christian and yes, I get angry. I’d be lying if I said, “I didn’t.” Anger by definition is to experience displeasure or hostility. What you do with the anger is key. Anger is a healthy emotion. When you feel it, own it! This means you can admit it’s about me not you. For example, if I did house work all day (to my chagrin) with no help from my spouse I could respond with the following:  “I was upset you did not help with the housework today.” What I choose NOT to say:  “You should have helped with the housework.” Notice the placement of I and you. When I start the sentence with you, I give up my ownership. Feel it, own it and move on!

In Week 24 of my self-published book, 52-Weeks of Resolve the focus for the week is:  Keep your anger in check. Bear in the mind, Scripture gives us this healthy tip more than once:

Be angry, and do not sin. Meditate with your heart on your bed, and be still. ~ Psalm 4:4 NJKV

“Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give peace to the devil.” ~ Ephesians 4:36-27 NJKV

Anger is permissible but sadly, it travels with bad company, a really rather wicked group:

But now you must rid yourself of all such things as these:  anger, rage, malice, slander and filthy language from your lips. ~ Colossians 3:8 NIV

When you can, avoid anger; when you can’t be cautious not to take the path that leads to other things that can go hand-in-hand with it. There are numerous references to God’s anger. God was angry because He was displeased with people. God doesn’t just storm around being angry for no reason. Jesus was angry at the moneychangers in the temple; yes, He too was displeased but He did not sin!

“For every minute you remain angry, you give up sixty seconds of peace of mind.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Generally speaking, when you feel anger this is your indicator that you have needs that are not being met. Address the issue in a healthy manner. This means you let the other person know you are not okay with whatever is going on. When dealing with emotions, we can be thrown off balance. I encourage you to find your balance by utilizing the gift of the Holy Spirit with God on one side and Jesus on the other. Peace to you! ~ Kim

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