Anger 101

emember this, my dear friends! Everyone must be quick to listen, but slow to speak and slow to become angry. Human anger does not achieve God’s righteous purpose. (James 1:19-20)

Don’t give in to worry or anger;
it only leads to trouble.
(Psalm 37:8)

People with quick tempers cause a lot of quarreling and trouble. (Proverbs 29:22)

Keep your temper under control; it is foolish to harbor a grudge. (Ecclesiastes 7:9)

But now you must get rid of all these things: anger, passion, and hateful feelings. No insults or obscene talk must ever come from your lips. (Colossians 3:8)

If you become angry, do not let your anger lead you into sin, and do not stay angry all day. (Ephesians 4:26)

People with a hot temper do foolish things; wiser people remain calm. (Proverbs 14:17)

But I promise you that if you are angry with someone, you will have to stand trial. If you call someone a fool, you will be taken to court. And if you say that someone is worthless, you will be in danger of the fires of hell. (Matthew 5:22)

Get rid of all bitterness, passion, and anger. No more shouting or insults, no more hateful feelings of any sort. (Ephesians 4:31)

But keep away from foolish and ignorant arguments; you know that they end up in quarrels. As the Lord’s servant, you must not quarrel. You must be kind toward all, a good and patient teacher, who is gentle as you correct your opponents, for it may be that God will give them the opportunity to repent and come to know the truth. (2 Timothy 2:23-25)

Today had an opportunity to let anger ruin my day. It all started with a foggy  yesterday.  I loathe driving in Chicago.  I am getting better at it but I just don't enjoy it.  No matter how many times I go to the same place I am still a bit nervous.  I am learning  my way around even with my GPS which may put me around and around.  As I waited for my friend I was nervous too that I was not going to make my pace for the race.  I had a job to do and I would quite disappointed if I did not make my job.  But my friend was really late and subsequently it also was backed up at the race and I barely made it to the start with only a minute to spare.  I was so mad at my friend who kept on changing her story and made me late to the race.  She finished on time and I struggled halfway.

I also was mad at her because she always is breaking rules and seems to get away with it.  But as I received a text from her this morning to walk I had to make a choice.  Was I going to continue to be upset with her or did I trust God to take care of the situation.   When I gave it over to God my anger stopped and I was able to be kind to her.

I am learning that it is perfectly acceptable to be angry with someone.  But what I do is up to how I give it over to God.  When I did that I was able to have peace and continue even with the challenges of the storm.