Keep Your Anger In Check - Leaning on the Promises of God for Men

We’ve all been tempted to do it, even on a small scale. We want to get back at someone for something they’ve done with a snide remark or by criticizing them in front of others. If we haven’t done it, at least we’ve thought about doing it. In either case, it only makes the original issue worse. Once anger, frustration, deceit, or cunning ways get a foothold in any situation in our lives, the devil begins to have a field day. There is no telling when we will be able to turn things around, restore the relationship—if ever—or regain our reputation.

No matter what happens to you, don’t compound the problem by trying to get back at whoever did something to you. So often it’s not the initial issue or incident that gets you into trouble—it’s what happens next. Think about it. How often have you seen the player who retaliates for a cheap shot get the penalty flag thrown on him instead of on the original offender?

It happens all the time in football, and it happens all the time in life. A friend or a spouse says something, and we retaliate angrily. God doesn’t think in terms of who said what first or how sinful one person’s actions may be when compared with another’s. All sin causes a person to be separated from God because God is holy, He cannot look at sin, no matter how small or how heinous it is.

When you find yourself in a volatile situation, don’t make things worse by letting anger get the better of you. Be wiser than hot-tempered people with short fuses. If you stay calm instead of reacting angrily, it will be easier to control yourself in whatever situation you find yourself. And it may have a lasting effect on someone else.

His Promises

Fools vent their anger,

but the wise quietly hold it back.

Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing.

Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty,

and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.