April 9, 2024

Psalm 37.8 (NIV)
Refrain from anger and turn from wrath.

Today’s thoughts are tomorrow’s actions.*

From this verse, we infer that one can choose to be angry, or not. In James 1.19, we are told to be “quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” This is a good step-by-step procedure for handling anger. In the act of listening, we allow ourselves a few moments to assess the situation. Have we jumped to conclusions? Did we misunderstand the words or the scene? Is it any of our business? Is it important? By the time we are through listening, we may realize that we need more information before determining our right to be angry. So now we speak, voicing our questions and gathering information. Finally, when we have our “ducks in a row,” we can decide if we are going to be angry or not.

Of course, this is all well and good until anger sneaks up on us. And it does. It is an emotion and sometimes it just happens. But this verse says to refrain from anger; turn away from wrath. We are advised in Psalm 4.4, “In your anger do not sin.” Paul reminds us in Ephesians 4.26 and 27 that if we hold onto our anger, we give the devil a foothold – an opening into the wall that protects us from him.

 

Suppressing anger may only delay the expressing of it so don’t pretend you didn’t feel it. But don’t feed it. Don’t act on it. Be in charge of it. Work on a solution. Anger is a good thing if it compels us to right wrongs, to defend the weak, to speak up for the Lord; but do not let it lead you to sin. 

You can’t control their attitude, but you can manage yours.*