How does anger impact my effectiveness?

Numbers 20:9-12“Listen, you rebels!” he [Moses] shouted. “Must we bring you water from this rock?” Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with the staff, and water gushed out . . . But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust me enough to demonstrate my holiness to the people of Israel, you will not lead them into the land I am giving them!”

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

Our patience is often tried to its limits. The persistent complaints and accusations of the people drove Moses to anger. Even when God gave the assurance of providing water, Moses could not restrain his anger and deliberately disobeyed God. Moses’ anger cost him the fulfillment of his mission to enter the Promised Land. Failure to restrain our anger may mean failure to realize our God-given dreams.

Matthew 5:21-22“You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment!”

Anger harms others and ourselves more than we realize. Anger brings judgment against us because it is an attack on people created in God’s image. Our primary call is to bless people, not curse them.