“Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.” Ecclesiastes 7:9
Every day of our lives, we are placed in situations that engage us with other people, whether it is in the office, our homes, or in public places.
Do you recall the last time someone cut you off in traffic, or you were forced to wait in line because someone up front got held up? Perhaps your employer did something that was downright unfair. Anger can result from many circumstances.
A friend once told me that anger is like warning lights on the front of your car dashboard. They signal that there is something going on under the hood, and we should take a look to examine the source of the problem.
When we lose control of a circumstance that we have placed certain expectations on and those expectations do not result in our desired outcome, we are tempted to get angry. The source of this type of anger is both fear and protection of personal rights. You see, when we believe we have a right to something, we have not given the Lord permission to allow an outcome different from what we want. If an outcome is different from our expectations, this may stimulate fear.
For instance, if a vendor failed to deliver an important job on time due to something out of his control, you may respond out of anger. Please know that the source of your anger is the fear of what might happen to you or what this might say about your abilities to manage a project. You no longer are in control of the circumstance and this creates fear in you.
The next time you get angry, ask the Lord, what is the source of that anger? Did the Lord allow that failure to let you see what is “under your hood”?
God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of love, power, and a sound mind (see 2 Timothy 1:7). Give up your rights to expectations that God never gave you. You will find a new freedom in Christ you never knew you could have.
by Os Hillman
Does your anger usually signal that something is going on “under the hood”? Is it hard for you to discover the source of your anger?
My problem is the same as of Taryn. After failing to do what I promised anyone I get angry with myself. Sometimes I do something to satisfy someone and later regret it thus getting even more angrier with myself. My family always bear the brunt of all this disappointments anger
God always speaks to us in time. All worship mail have always motivated me at the time most needed, thank you. I believe God allowed me to be angry and go through hardships for the love of others because now when someone is going through something similar I can understand them and be a blessing to them. Although, it’s hard to see how things will ever be the same or better I do know that God is in control and the arms that hold the universe are holding us tonight we can rest inside , it’s gonna be alright.
Tanya N
I appreciate this post and have heard The Lord speaking through it, not only about anger, but fear itself. I have been experiencing flashes of anxiety as I transition to medical school, and this echoing what I have been learning about taking every thought captive.
Thank you very much and blessings,
Gaynel
Taryn, I don’t know what you are going through but know that the Lord has promised to be an everpresent help in time of need. He says that we can go boldly before the throne of grace – to receive grace and help when we need it because of Jesus (Hebrews 4). Just ask – ask every moment of the day – ask whenever you are feeling overwhelmed – ask right at that moment. Ask for what you need – cleansing from anger, freedom from fear, strength for the moment/day, wisdom, guidance. Ask and you shall be given, knock and the door shall be opened unto you, seek and you shall find! He is faithful – and He is able to deliver. Read Hebrews chapter 2 – such a beautiful picture of the love and help of Christ!
I’m struggling with anger… brought on by pain that I experience by seeing my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ struggle through trials in silence rather than reaching out to even our leaders for prayer and support. Pain that strikes my heart when at work and I take a call from someone trying to get something for nothing and knowing if they throw enough of a fit, they have a better chance of getting what they want… are they not aware of the suffering around the world?! My mercy is there but I am struggling with the anger that arises in these instances… praying in every moment that I do not sin in my anger and that I respond wisely and that I pray about all that I see going on around me! I know I am not perfect, I also pray for myself that I am not judging according to myself but rather am seeking the Lord as it is through His will that things will turn around, it is through His will that I can be a good witness even in trying circumstances. I am angry that I see how the world and the devil attack and deceive us but I am grateful for God and I am grateful that through this He is making me stronger and more confident in Him and who He is. May we strive to walk in His authority so that strongholds may be torn down and that we can be salt and light in this world… Praise God for His love and mercy and thank you for posting this article. God Bless you and your organization.
I am really dealing with so much anger right now and this message has come straight from the Lord. I so want to find my JOY (in the Lord) again, but my anger is getting in the way. I don’t know how to deal with it. A lot of expectations are being put on me (by others and by myself), I don’t want to disappoint people and I am finding it hard to say no, as I don’t know whether my ‘no’ is being fair. So I feel like I am in immense turmoil. I am praying that God will continue to lead me as He is doing, by putting this message straight from Him in my path today.
Many Thanks
God Bless
Taryn
This was very good; but it stopped a bit short! : ) While it may be good to ask Him about the source of our anger, He wants us to confess this to Him and ask Him to cleanse it away. Also, when we are tempted in this way – right at that moment that we recognize the feeling, we can call out to Him for help in our time of need – help to not respond that way! Lord, help me to not get angry – help me to love, etc, etc.