Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry, for anger rests in the bosom of fools. Ecclesiastes 7:9
News media is filled with stories of people who acted out in anger, killing and harming others in a sudden fit of rage. Movies are constantly being made about people rising in extreme anger and violent actions. Anger can rise very quickly in a person causing one to say and do things that are not good. Blame of the actions or words of others is often made to excuse or justify the sudden fit of anger and sinful action.
Solomon wisely warns to not be quick to be angry because anger rests in the foolish.
Sudden fits of anger will often cause a person to say or do something that one would not normally do, things that will harm others very quickly. This harm can sometimes be physical, but is often mental harm, words of hate that damage the heart and soul of another person. Damage like this will often occur to a loved one or close friend, not a total stranger.
The foolishness of this type of anger is that it damages relationships and is a sin against God. It is often because of selfishness, that a person did not get what was desired and allowed anger to suddenly rise up. When a believer rises in sudden fit of rage out of nowhere, it is damaging to one’s witness of who Jesus and His saving power.
Believers are to be a new creation with the mindset of Jesus, who never got suddenly angry out in the spur of the moment. Keeping from sudden anger can only be done when one rests in the fact that God is in control, even when things look bad. Allow God to deal with the situation in His way, not the sinful ways of the world in sudden fits of rage.
You will have days in which things will go bad and anger will try to suddenly rise and cause you to sin against God and harm others. Keep your focus upon God rather than the difficult circumstances of the moment. Hold on to His peace, knowing that He is in control, rather than flying off in a fit of anger that will cause you to sin. Don’t be a fool as the world is but be wise and at peace. Allow God to direct your actions.
Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that God will bring peace to your heart in tough times; that you will rest in the fact that God is in control; and that God will give you strength to control your anger against others.
Picture by Nick Fewings on Unsplash
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