How should I respond to being aggravated? - Aggravate - TouchPoints

Proverbs 14:30A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones.

1 Corinthians 13:4-5Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.

1 Peter 2:23He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.

When aggravated by others’ words or actions, we shouldn’t retaliate but respond in love. Aggravation chases itself around a circle. Striking back begins a cycle in which each person feels the need to strike back harder. In many cases, our only option is to step away and give the situation over to God.

Psalm 4:4Don’t sin by letting anger control you. Think about it overnight and remain silent.

Proverbs 15:1A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.

James 1:19Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.

We can seem to ignore others’ angry words, while, in reality, we are preparing our own angry responses. But the Bible tells us to slow down and listen to others’ frustrations first. After we understand their perspective, we can take time to think through how to respond without sinning. This will protect us from saying things we may later regret.

1 Timothy 6:4Anyone who teaches something different is arrogant and lacks understanding. Such a person has an unhealthy desire to quibble over the meaning of words. This stirs up arguments ending in jealousy, division, slander, and evil suspicions.

2 Timothy 2:23-24Don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people.

Titus 3:9Do not get involved in foolish discussions about spiritual pedigrees or in quarrels and fights about obedience to Jewish laws. These things are useless and a waste of time.

We should have a hunger for truth but not be obsessed with “winning” our arguments. Winning an insignificant argument at the price of damaging a significant relationship is a terrible trade-off. We should pray for discernment in knowing when arguments should be pursued.

Proverbs 14:29People with understanding control their anger; a hot temper shows great foolishness.

Ecclesiastes 7:9Control your temper, for anger labels you a fool.

Ephesians 4:26-27And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.

James 1:19-20Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.

We should avoid any reaction based on anger. Some anger is like a forest fire, quickly destroying what took a long time to grow. Other anger smolders, never showing an open flame, but slowly chokes our relationships with its fumes. Neither kind of anger pleases God.

Luke 6:27-28“But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you.”

Romans 12:20-21Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.” Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

Evil is only multiplied through a cycle of revenge. We should choose to end the cycle by responding to hatred with patience and kindness. This will lead to peace. And we should pray that those who aggravate us would come to understand God’s love more fully.