Have you ever been angry? Have you ever gotten so upset at someone else that you just wanted to throw your hands up in the air and walk away? I know some of you are probably thinking to yourself, “That’s not what I wanted to do when I got mad!”
That’s not what I wanted to do either years ago. I’ll be honest with you – I used to have a bad temper, and it wasn’t pretty. I have improved 100 fold over the years. Certain things press my buttons, but I can tell you I have a lot fewer buttons for someone to push and a whole lot more godly influence in my life than I did back then.
The Bible says, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.”
Get rid of all of it. Easier said than done, right?
But you can do it with purposeful intentions each day. Seek the Lord in prayer for help, wisdom, and strength to overcome those feelings that well up inside when you find yourself wanting to lash out because you have been hurt or deceived.
There was a time in my life back on December 31, 2003, (yes I remember the day perfectly) when the love of my life walked out the door for good. I called my pastor and told him my boyfriend had left me to go back to his ex-wife. I told him how mad I was over him leaving and how bad it hurt. I was steaming mad at him, and my pastor told me it was alright. He went on to say, “God understands you are angry right now but don’t stay mad for very long, or you will miss out on the blessings.”
“Ha! What blessings?”
He was right! The blessings in my life have been plentiful.
I only stayed mad for three weeks. Three weeks was way too long when I think about it now. Oh sure, I could say the pain and anger were justified, but in whose eyes? Mine.
Handle anger in a godly way.
Ephesians 4:26, “In your anger do not sin. “Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.”
I saw too many sunsets in an angry mood almost 20 years ago now. I thank the Lord for the pastor who bravely spoke the truth into my life back then. He may never know how using God’s Word and being obedient helped change my life for the best.
Don’t stay mad for too long, or you might miss out on the blessings God has for you.
In His Service
The Teaching Lady
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