Anger Won't Win
“For as churning cream produces butter, and as twisting the nose produces blood, so stirring up anger produces strife.” - PROVERBS 30:33 NLT
Responding in anger sometimes seems like the right option in a tense moment, but it’s usually the wrong option because the repercussions of our angry actions are significant and damaging. Acting in anger can cause families to break apart. It can cause people to live with hurtful and damaging words for the rest of their lives. Angry responses can hurt job opportunities and friendships. Anger's reach is great, and its power is real.
Step away for a minute from the demands of life. Position yourself in a comfortable way in a quiet environment. Take a few calming, deep breaths. Now, focus your attention on today's Scripture passage.
Some emotions are easier to work through than others. Anger is a more difficult emotion, harder to process through when it comes up. When anger takes over, it removes the ability for logical, rational thought. No good resolution can come from a place of anger because stirring up anger causes strife. Like a disease, anger can spread and contaminate others around you. Under the influence of anger, what was once a possible misunderstanding can turn into a rage. Acting out in anger can cause family feuds, broken friendships, and lost professional positions.
Remember, nothing good comes when we act out in anger. Be wise in your interactions with others, not pushing for arguments or provoking altercations. Acknowledge and address conflicts and issues in a godly manner, which is to seek to understand. God has called us to act with grace and love, and with His help we can.
PRAYER:
God, I praise You for Your ability to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to Your power that is at work within us. To You be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations. Your mercy and love never cease. God, I know that anger will never produce anything good. It will only affect others and myself in a negative way. Holy Spirit, help me release my feelings of anger. Minister to that area of my heart and help me find freedom. Thank You, God, for the fruit of Your Spirit. Thank You for enabling me to be patient and kind, to control my anger and not act on it. Thank You for teaching me to have patience and wisdom instead of uncontrolled rage. Thank You for the ability to act in self-control. Please give me confidence and progress in this area. Thank You for being with me and listening to me, Lord. I know You desire for me to have patience in times of anger. Give me the control over my anger that I long for and can only find in You. Give me a cool head in a hot situation. Help me to walk away instead of escalating problems. You are so good, Lord. Please help me to treat the people around me with grace and mercy. Help me to love like You love and to surrender my own desires for the desires of others. Amen.
This is an excerpt from Pray: Daily Moments to Quiet Your Mind and Center Your Soul – a devotional now available on DaySpring.com. Shop all books, journals, and devotions from DaySpring here.
