Hot-tempered

An angry man stirs up dissension,and a hot-tempered one commits many sins.

Proverbs 29:22 (NIV)

Dissension and strife, being hot-tempered, and sins—all these concepts become part of the atmosphere when anger is raging in someone’s soul.

To some of you reading today this does not need to be explained. You are living this. Maybe it’s because of an angry husband or an angry teenager, or maybe you have an angry boss. You probably feel overpowered and powerless. Someone who is given to outbursts of anger feels at that moment that they are in control, but nothing could be further from the truth. They have lost control of themselves. Anger is their slave-master, causing them to lash out, vent, be cruel, and burn bridges by hurting even those who love them most. And what do they have after that’s done? Less than nothing. There is no comfort or satisfaction. All they have is a trail of collateral damage that wraps them up in a package of shame, problems, and more sin as they seek to blame others.

If you’re a victim of this, it can be a nightmare because it feels like there’s nothing you can do. But there is hope. The Lord hears, and sees, and cares. In moments of outbursts, shoot up an arrow prayer. Practice putting up your shield of faith. Ask God to guard your heart and mind. And don’t let them pull you into their pit. Misery loves company. So I repeat, don’t let them pull you into their pit.

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

If you’ve been the brunt of someone’s anger, either in the past or present, you probably have anger of your own. There are two responses, fight or flight. If you aren’t a fighter, your flight pattern might have turned your anger inward. Depression is often the result. Let me ask you an important question. Are you now angry at God? Are you depressed and angry that he did not defend you? Never forget, Jesus bore the full brunt of angry men. “He is despised. . . . Surely He has . . . carried our sorrows . . . and by His stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:3-5, NKJV).

One Year Bible Reading

Amos 4:1–6:14; Revelation 2:18–3:6; Psalm 130:1-8; Proverbs 29:21-22