Stop Being Angry!

Father, I am so grateful that You have been there for me for these 57 trips around the sun! Thank You for the multitude of blessings, for every good and perfect gift does come from You! (James 1:17)

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I feel the need to be very up front about one of my struggles. I haven’t written about it a while (see ANGRY!) but it still plagues me. I truly think to a certain degree it is a hereditary mindset but I cannot lay the blame there. I must own it, for I perpetuate it and I really don’t dowse the fire once it gets to blazing. Interestingly enough, unless you are close to me, you don’t even realize the hold it has on me. In public arenas, it rarely shows its face but…not so much with those I hold dear.

I’m talking about anger.

Some things can really set me off. Some people can really set me off.

Traffic is a trigger. Ride with me and it doesn’t take long to go off– at least when I’m with people with whom I am comfortable.

Also, there are certain people throughout my life that with very little tinder can quickly become a massive, engulfing conflagration burning everything in its all-consuming path.

Do I like this part of myself? No. Have I prayed about it? Yes…but not nearly enough.

Be angry [at sin—at immorality, at injustice, at ungodly behavior], yet do not sin; do not let your anger [cause you shame, nor allow it to] last until the sun goes down. Ephesians 4:26 (AMP)

Stop being angry!
Turn from your rage!
Do not lose your temper—
it only leads to harm. Psalm 37:8-9 (NLT)

Does God understand my issues? Yes. Does He forgive my failings? Yes. Is it OK to not continue to overcome these tendencies? Absolutely not. God extends Himself to me for strength, wisdom, tenacity, patience, love, and anything else I might need. He is but a thought away. Now, I just need to think! James hit the nail on the head.

Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. James 1:19-20 (NLT)

Left to myself, I will crash and burn every, single time. The only place that I can find the hope to overcome is Jesus…plain and simple.

As you ponder these things today, maybe anger is your “hot button”. But maybe it is something else – another thing that has its talons piercing deep with your flesh, yielding to no one, regardless of all your many efforts. But though I continue to battle, I know – beyond the shadow of any doubt – that my God is bigger than it all. And if I will do my part – that is, yielding my part over to Him – He will enable me to overcome!

…but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory [as conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57 (AMP)

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors and gain an overwhelming victory through Him who loved us [so much that He died for us]. Romans 8:37 (AMP)

I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (AMP)

Trust in the Lord, my friends, trust in the Lord.

Jan 21^st, 2020, Tues, 8:05 pm