I was walking through a local grocery store the other day when I saw him. This guy was fuming! His face was red. His finger was pointing. His voice was raised. And he was verbally blasting his wife for spending too much money. It was an awkward moment, and I was glad to turn around and make my way down another aisle.
Of course, I can't be too hard on the fellow. He's probably a good guy that was just having a bad day. And we've all probably gotten a little madder than we should have at times.
But still, that experience got me thinking...
Anger. It's a powerful emotion. And just as sure as it swelled up in the old guy at the grocery store, it can easily stir up within us.
Does the Bible say anything about anger?
Well, yes, it actually does. Ephesians 4:26 reads, "Be ye angry, and sin not." That's good stuff to live by!
Here's what this verse teaches us: There will be times we feel anger. Actually, some things such as injustice, abuse, and ungodliness should make us angry. But we have to remain in control of our anger and manage it properly. When we fail to handle it correctly and lash out in unhealthy ways, we are neck deep in sin. And that's not a good thing.
God has made us emotional beings. And anger is one of those feelings. So it's ok to feel anger. It really is. But we must keep in mind that God still expects us to hold ourselves together and behave in a Christ-like manner when our blood begins to boil.
Let's look to God for help. He will give us a hand in this! With His divine assistance, we can be in control of our anger rather than live with our anger in control of us.
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