Stepping Stones: Make Anger Your Servant…Not Your Master

Transformational Tip

Yesterday we talked about how anger doesn’t have to be wrong…but what causes anger? In reality, the answer could be "nothing" around us. We might think that a rude driver or unfair criticism or a friend's betrayal angers us, but the anger is actually our own doing. It is actually our lenses, our response based on how we view a situation that creates the anger.

During the basketball game the other night, if my team scores a last minute game-winning basket, I am excited…someone rooting for the other team, experienced the same event, but instead of being excited, is actually angry.

The event, a made shot, doesn’t cause the anger, or else everybody experiencing the event would be angry. The difference, the key ingredient…the lenses we use as we witness or experience the event.

Anger(and all our negative feelings) is a great warning system. Anger let’s us know when something is not going right or when potential danger exists. If I am in the woods and see a tiger, I should get angry, sad, worried, frightened. That is a good warning system letting me know something is not safe or right.

When someone insults us or treats us badly, we should get angry. That lets us know a problem exists in this relationship and needs to be addressed. We can choose how to respond. God has given us free will to control our feelings, thoughts, and actions. Will we choose unkind words or find a way to "get even"…or will we problem solve and forgive? It's our choice. No matter what our background or the current circumstances, we are responsible for our own behavior and we can’t blame it on our emotions.

None of us express our feelings appropriately all the time. But the Bible tells us, For I can do everything with the help of Christ who gives me the strength I need. Philippians 4:13.

Today, notice when you are angry. Stop and thank God for a great warning system. Then look below the anger to the problem you are getting warned about and address it. If you don’t, your warning system(anger) will keep on alerting you till the problem is resolved. Let Jesus can help you make anger your servant instead of your master by following His attitude and actions.
Click here to share your perspective about making anger your servant.

Prayer
Dear Father God, when I am wronged in some way, help me to choose the right response…the one that is pleasing to You. Teach me to control my anger, have patience, problem solve, and forgive. I pray this and all prayers in the name of the one who teaches me how to handle all things well, Jesus Christ; and all God’s children say - AMEN!

The Truth
Sensible people control their temper; they earn respect by overlooking wrongs.
Proverbs 19:11