O Merciful Lord, You have spoken through Your Word saying “take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, because anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.” A challenge I face is how to relate to people and events that do not meet my expectations. When they are not met (actually or perceived), my natural reaction is to respond in anger. The decision I make or actions I take, while I am angry, usually leads to greater problems, hurt feelings, and more frustration. I have recognized that when I am slow to anger, I allow myself time to settle down and gain a better perspective of what has happened. If I react, unchecked and unbridled, my temper flare-ups result in nothing that’s good. What troubles me is that when I get angry, I know that I have succumbed to evil.
In dealing with my anger, I must learn to put the matter into Your hands so I can allow You time to help me deal with the situation appropriately and make good decisions. Giving my frustrations and disappointments to You allows me to maintain a clear head and protects me and others from hurtful, foolish words and actions. You encourage me through the scriptures saying “In anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down on your anger, thereby keeping the Devil from taking a foothold.” This scripture tells me that when I slip and get angry, I should deal with making amends as soon as possible and not let the matter go unattended. If I do not make peace with the person or event at the root of my anger, I will give the Devil an opportunity to establish a foothold in my mind where He can torment me. I then come into bondage to misery and unhappiness.
I know that You have much to say about anger … not only anger itself, but how to not respond to its urgings. Sensible people control their anger and gain respect by overcoming their urges. Help me see things from Your perspective realizing that … people are not perfect … raising my voice rarely settles anything … and my perspective is not always right. Your desire is for me to respond to others as You would … in love. Instead of anger, I should replace it with patience and kindness so I can overcome the way I feel with the way I should feel. When circumstances do not go as I plan, instead of getting angry, help me look for opportunities to remain calm and unshaken. Transform me and strengthen me so that, by faith, I can model Your character and show the effects of Your working in my life. My desire is to shun anger and learn more about how to love. And it’s in Jesus’ name I pray. AMEN!!
Proverbs 14:29 Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.