Have you ever been cut off in traffic or unjustly accused of something you didn’t do? Did you get angry and upset or feel you were on the verge of losing control? Most of us get angry and lose control at sometime in our lives. It’s only natural to want to blow our stack at people for the hurt they cause us.
However, letting anger have control over you is like riding a wild bucking bronco. The fact is— you never have control of the reins of the beast you’re riding—and the damage you can do to yourself and others can be enormous. God desires each of us to walk in forgiveness and love even when we experience anger and rage—and the last thing we want to do—is forgive.
As Matthew 5:21-26 tell us:
21 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.
The Bible says our anger will make us subject to God’s judgment. It doesn’t matter how right we think we are—or how much we hurt because of the offense—our anger is an affront to God. Why?
Because it’s born out of our own fleshly desires for retaliation and not out of His love or perfect peace. Anger is a purely self-involved emotion that focuses every inch of our energy on ourselves and away from God’s love for us and others. So, what do you do if you have a problem with anger? The Biblical response is to learn to control your emotions and act out of love in spite of how you feel. Take some time today and pray for self-control. Practice forgiving others when you can and replace your anger with something life-giving and full of love. As Ephesians 4:31 says, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Being tender-hearted and full of forgiveness will usher in the blessings of God for your life—and will help you build relationships in love instead of tearing them down in anger. Pray this prayer: Dear Father God, please give me the strength to control my anger and act in love toward others no matter how they make me feel. Grant me peace in my heart and guide me in your mercy and grace in all I do. Help me to be more like Jesus and deny my flesh that is so bitter and hateful to you. Thank you for your forgiveness as I seek to forgive others and love them with all my heart. Amen.