Anger is an emotion that every human being experiences daily. At some point during the day, there is something that will inevitably cause you to experience anger. I mean just flat out mad. It is part of the human experience. Anger never leads to anything good. Never. Whenever human anger is mentioned in the bible, nothing good follows. Righteous anger based in the highest ideals of what we think of as Godliness must still be handled prayerfully and with caution. Remember when they came to arrest Jesus? Peter drew his sword and cut one of the soldiers ear off. He was angry and rightfully so, but his anger was not effective in producing the will of God. Apostle James says it this way in James 1:20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. In this case, God’s will was for Christ to go to the cross.
God is perfect in all his ways, and the bible tell us that even God himself is slow to anger. Imagine that if you will. The Word of God in the flesh, Jesus Christ, God incarnate is full of compassion, gracious, and longsuffering. That means he is slow to anger. What is it that we do not comprehend or keep in the forefront of our mind that we allow ourselves to succumb to wrath? King Solomon in his wisdom communicated to us a very valid reason against allowing anger to rule our emotions. In Ecclesiastes 7:9, He says, be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools. Anger takes up residence and lives in the life of the person who is hasty in anger. That anger designates you as a fool. God is no fool and neither are you. Anger is pervasive, anger is like a thief and robber that hides in the shadows and patiently waits for you feel the smallest of slights. When the slight happens, anger bubbles up from somewhere inside. You ever notice that you can feel it in your body? Right in the middle of your body.
Here is the solution. When the thought rises up, or you find yourself in a situation that you know has the potential to upset you, be prepared. If you’re a believer in Jesus Christ, then use the Word of God. It is your greatest weapon. Here are a few that I use:
• Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: Because he trusteth in thee.
• 2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of Power, Love, and a Sound Mind.
• Proverbs 16:32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; And he that ruleth his spirit than he that
taketh a city.
A spirit of power and love with a sound mind is not easily triggered. Being slow to anger is better than the mighty. If you can rule your own spirit you are more esteemed than the conqueror of a city. A person that exhibits self-control is immensely powerful.
I have given you what the Word of God says, but in all honesty that does not change anything unless you take action. You may love your spouse to the moon and back, but that does not guarantee you happiness. Satan knows the Word of God, but it hasn’t changed him. Even atheists know the Bible, yet they believe there is no God. Knowing the Word of God is great, but you have to learn to operationalize the Word. That requires effort and action.
Here’s a strategy that my wife and I use when we find ourselves becoming frustrated or upset. We smile. Literally, we can be steaming mad, but when you smile something changes physiologically. Even if you have to struggle through the smile you’ll notice it’s easier to be calm and express your thoughts.
Smiling can change your physiology when you’re angry. Research has shown that the physical act of smiling, even when you’re feeling negative emotions, can have a positive impact on the body. Smiling activates the release of neurochemicals such as endorphins and serotonin, which are associated with feelings of happiness and relaxation. These neurochemicals can help to reduce feelings of anger and stress, and even lower the heart rate and blood pressure. Additionally, smiling sends signals to the brain that you’re happy, which can help to reinterpret your emotional state and reduce feelings of anger.
One thing I’ve learned in this walk with God is that things take time. We have been living through our bodies and emotions for a long time. It takes practice to walk in the Spirit. It takes time to build up that muscle. This is why it’s important that we pray, fast, read the Word, and have relationships with people who build you, and whom you can build. Know the Word, speak and believe the Word, experience the peace of God in reality.
