HOW DO WE HANDLE ANGER? (Part I)

HOW DO WE HANDLE ANGER? (Part I)

When we become angry, which all of us inevitably do, only two choices await.  We either control and release it in a productive manner, or we hold onto it, tenaciously embracing its destructive outcomes.  Everyone knows that angry words can cause incalculable and enduring pain.  Indeed, once spoken, vitriolic communications cannot be recalled, even by the most sincere and contrite apologies.  

How can anger be so dangerous?  Because anger can cause us to move very swiftly, cruelly and unwisely.  A Chinese proverb says, “The fastest horse cannot catch a word spoken in anger.”  Carefully consider that fact.  A “National Geographic” article tells of a park ranger in British Columbia who displays two sets of interlocked bull moose antlers.  Apparently those two huge and beautiful creatures were fighting so viciously that they could not dislodge themselves long enough to go free and survive.  My friend, is your personal frustration and fight worth the unsettling aftermath?

One relational rule-of-thumb can be summarized as follows: ‘How do we deal with inevitable anger?’  Do we treat it as priceless treasure, harboring and holding onto it until Kingdom come?  Or do we seek to understand the ‘who, what, when, where, why and how’ of it – thus transforming it into positive attitudes and actions?  Stay tuned for tomorrow’s devotional to learn how anger can actually be thought of as a divinely implanted emotion, simultaneously testing and positioning us for growth.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!