A couple months ago my family went to a local arcade, and my brother and I played this game. The point was to see who's reaction time was faster by tapping the buttons as soon as they lit up.
I typically don't get angry and, if I do, it has to be something really upsetting. Well, last month I got angry and said words I didn't mean. Additionally, ever since then I've been a little quicker to anger. The intensity of the emotion seems to stay around a little too long.
The thing though, is that we all have warning lights that flash when we start to become angry. Yet, instead of acknowledging them and choosing to calm ourselves down as soon as we see and feel these warnings, we - I - tend to express it poorly and hurtfully, usually in a pretty record setting immediate reaction sort of way.
God isn't like this and doesn't want us to stay like this either, for both ourselves and those we come across from day to day.
The third instruction, in James 1:19-20, is to be slow to anger. Being willing to listen and slow to speak can help us in following this command. Now, there’s such a thing as righteous anger, when we’re angry over injustice and sin, God Himself exhibits this type of anger at times; yet, He’s still slow to anger. This means that, we too, should be slow to anger, whether it’s with righteous anger or not.
The Bible tells us more about anger. Ephesians encourages us to not hold onto anger. In fact, it says to let go of whatever you’re angry over by the end of the day, while reminding us to let go of things connected to anger, like bitterness. Also, Paul tells us to do this because Satan will fuel our anger to trick and trap us in sin. Proverbs talks about how foolish people let their anger out in full force. Whereas, wise people don’t let their anger get out of hand. In Psalms, we find that we should do what we can to not get angry, because it can lead to sin and harm. Anger is unnecessary for our lives.
Being slow to anger means that we’re trying to work towards these things: First, desiring to choose calm. Calmness is what fights against anger, if we let Him, the Holy Spirit can calm the waves of anger in us. Second, it means we need to be conscious of the influence we have on those around us and focus on making it uplifting. If we’re always angry around our friends, we shouldn’t expect them to act different. Third, realizing that overlooking an offense can be beneficial to us. I’m not saying that we should let people hurt us, but sometimes letting go of rudeness or talking to God about how someone hurt us – it can have a better outcome than a confrontation.
How not to be slow to anger: Surround yourself with angry people – Who you surround yourself with is what you’ll absorb and start to become, choose wisely. Let anger build up – Anger is like other emotions, it has to be expressed in some way or it’ll become dangerous. In an honorable way, express your anger to God and then lay it before Him. Believe that anger is a sin – Anger is not a sin; however, anger leads to sin by lingering in you, encouraging grudges, and pushing you to say, think, and do bad things.
God's Guidance:
James 1:19-20 (NCV) – “My dear brothers and sisters, always be willing to listen and slow to speak. Do not become angry easily, because anger will not help you live the right kind of life God wants.”
Mark 3:5 (NIV) – “He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored.”
Psalm 103:8 (NIV) – “The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.”
Ephesians 4:26-27 (NIV) – ““In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.”
Ephesians 4:31 (NIV) – “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.”
Colossians 3:8 (NIV) – “But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.”
Proverbs 29:11 (NIV) – “Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.”
Ecclesiastes 7:9 (NIRV) – “Don’t become angry quickly. Anger lives in the hearts of foolish people.”
Proverbs 22:24-25 (NIRV) – “Don’t be a friend of a person who has a bad temper. Don’t go around with a person who gets angry easily. You might learn their habits. And then you will be trapped by them.”
Psalm 37:8 (HCSB) – “Refrain from anger and give up your rage; do not be agitated—it can only bring harm.”
Proverbs 19:11 (NIV) – “A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.”
Application:
1. Practice giving your anger over to God in prayer as soon as you feel it building up inside you
2. Ask God to reveal to you what or who pushes you to anger and how to better handle situations with them
3. Be a good friend by encouraging a calm atmosphere, not an angry one
Strength Point:
Through God, you have the power to overcome anger.
Reflection Question:
Have you found that you've recently been getting angry more quickly or slower than in the past?
Prayer Prompt:
Hi Jesus! Thank You for being slow to anger. You are full of love, grace, and patience toward me! I’m sorry for not being better at controlling my anger. I’m sorry for believing that I have the right to respond, when I'm angry, in any way I want to. Help me to learn to be slow to anger at all times and in all situations. In my anger, remind my heart to keep my words factual, limited, and constructive. I pray that I’d take the time to listen thoroughly to the other person, even when I’m angry, to make sure that they know that I still respect and care about them. Lord, I don’t want my anger to damage my relationships, my witness to others, or my own health. Please, help me to give You my anger as soon as I feel it, I don’t want it in me. Thank You for being willing to take on what burdens us so heavily. You have the power to do anything! I love You! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
A Prayer to Pray over Others:
Hi Jesus! Thank You for being slow to anger. You are full of love, grace, and patience toward us! Help my friend to have control over the anger that sometimes bubbles up in them. Teach them how to respond to who or what makes them angry in a way that glorifies You. I pray that my friend would learn to be slow to anger at all times and in all situations. In their anger, remind their heart to keep their words factual, limited, and constructive. I pray that they’d take the time to listen thoroughly to the other person, even when they’re angry, to make sure that the person knows that my friend still respects and cares about them. Lord, help them to realize that their anger could damage their relationships, their reputation, and their own health. I pray that in realizing this, they would give You their anger as soon as they feel it. I know that You are right there, ready to help them do this. Thank You for being willing to take on what burdens us so heavily. You have the power to do anything! I love You! In Jesus’ Name, I pray, Amen.
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