As youth we have the notion that some people take things too personally, but the truth is that as humans we all take things personally. The difference is WHAT we take personal and HOW we deal with what we take personally. Anger is an emotion characterized by immense feelings of displeasure, hostility, wrath, and vengeance. Humans have different temperaments. And as such there are people who react violently when they are angry. Others use a mask of silence to hide their anger. In situations like this how do we as young Christians deal with anger especially since the Good Book tells us not to let the sun set on our anger?
When many people are angry they say “I am NOT angry’ or simply, won’t admit it. Others admit they have a temper but don’t see it as a serious sin and hence don’t see the need to address it.
The Bible sees anger as a grave sin and lists it with sins such as adultery, witchcraft, drunkenness and murder (see Galatians 5:19-21). Temper is simply not acceptable in the life of a Christian. Until you see the seriousness of your temper and resolve and purpose to be delivered from it you can’t overcome it. If you are satisfied with it, you will live a life devoid of Gods victory over the sin of temper.
Everyone prefers honesty to lies and wants to see the true nature of people. Don’t use masks to hide your anger under the pretense of wanting to keep cool. Get to the root of your anger and destroy it. You may think you are hiding your anger but ironically it finds ways of coming out- either through voice tone, body language or attitude. Some people say they have forgiven you but they become cold afterward and show no warmth. These people become lonely and bitter.
That is the pain they chose by deciding not to deal with their anger. Whenever you are angry, remember the devil tempts you to follow your human feelings and he is the same devil who condemns you for doing it and mocks you for not exercising self-control as a child of God. Whenever you are angry, remember the pain that will result from your anger and let it be the driving force to keep you in check.
“The more anger toward the past you carry in your heart, the less capable you are of loving in the present”.
The Bible doesn’t say much about temper. The reason is that the Bible is concerned with the root cause of temper itself. That’s why the Bible admonishes us to flee from many things because in your pursuit of these things they cause us to be angry. Find the cause of your anger, because it is not enough to be angry, confess and ask for forgiveness AND go back and do it again. Eventually, we get weary and even feel like God is even tired of our double lives. It prevents us from going to God to pray because we feel like He is even tired of listening to us ask for forgiveness over the same sin we keep doing and in the long run affects our spiritual growth. If its jealousy, injustice, lust, impatience, etc. that is the root of our anger, the Bible has a cure for all that. Read and understand what God has to say about that and purpose in your heart to do it.
It’s no use bottling up issues that trouble us inside. The best way to let of steam is to tell the “Man Up There”. He knows us better than we know ourselves and his presence always calms us. When you are angry just tell God everything as though he was your best friend. He promises us rest whenever we have heavy burdens.
“Sometimes you don’t realize the weight of something you’ve been carrying until you feel the weight of its release”.
After the storm comes the calm. When you are angry with another person, eventually you cool off. Right after you cool off and in a better position to be calm go to that person with the intent of making peace, don’t go in an attempt to justify your actions. It only makes things worse and makes you angrier because in most situations the other person might not be willing to also accept blame. The Bible teaches us not to let the sun go down on our anger. Don’t sleep with anger in your heart because it prolongs the pain and makes you less inclined to make amends which results in bitterness, loneliness, and separation from God.
“Give yourself permission to feel pain, anger, and resentment. But meditate, relax and then let it go. Breathe from your heart out and feel Gods wonderful presence.”
@anaman from #teamghana