Does Anger Control You?

Anger. My dictionary defines it as, "a feeling of extreme displeasure, hostility, indignation, or exasperation toward someone or something," (The American Heritage Dictionary, 1982). I have to admit, I've experienced this emotion on many occasions. From the careless driver who cuts me off in traffic, to the willful disobedience of a child, anger has a way of coming to the surface and demanding action. How do I deal with it?

I'm a tea drinker. There's just something about the aroma and light flavor of a cup of tea that makes me smile. I've also learned a thing or two from the many teabags I've used over the years. As soon as I pour hot water over the teabag, the water is infused with the color of the contents of the bag. It happens in the space of a few seconds - what's on the inside of the teabag, comes out. In the case of tea, that's a good thing. Where anger is concerned, a different story.

Cain and Abel were the first brothers in history. Growing up, I'm sure they had their fair share of squabbles. But one day, Cain gave into his anger, with disastrous results. When the young men offered their sacrifices to the Lord, Abel's sacrifice was accepted, but Cain's was rejected. Cain was mad. In fact, he was furious.

God gave Cain the opportunity to bring a different offering. Instead of offering the right kind of sacrifice, Cain allowed a seed of anger to germinate in his heart, toward his brother. Before long, the 'seed' had grown into a tree. Cain acted on his anger, "And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him," (Genesis 4:8; KJV).

If I'm not careful, I find myself allowing anger to take control, just like Cain. I say things that are unkind, and do things that I later regret. But the choice is mine. Having accepted Christ as my Savior, I have a new nature (2 Corinthians 5:17). And the power of the Holy Spirit enables me to choose to respond to life's irritations with love, patience, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

Today I have the opportunity to yield to the Lord and allow Him to guide my actions when I experience anger. His Word reminds me that anger is just an emotion - it's what I do with it that's important, "Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath,"(Ephesians 4:26).

Remember my cup of tea? What's on the inside WILL eventually come out. That's why it's so important to meditate on the right things, "Finally brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things," (Philippians 4:8). My prayer is that, when irritations come, my response will be to overflow with the good things of the Spirit!

Do you allow anger to control you? What step will you take today to have a godly response next time you're faced with anger?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank You for creating us with emotions. Forgive me when I react to anger with harmful words and actions. Help me to yield to the Holy Spirit and meditate on the right things, in order to respond in the right way when things upset me. In Jesus' name, Amen.






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More Than A Meal

I've given lots of thought to this year's Easter menu. I'm leaning toward grilled steak, asparagus, deviled eggs, tangy pea salad, mashed potatoes with brown gravy, and apple pie. Not exactly traditional, I know. And much different than the meal served up thousands of years ago.

Remember the first Passover celebrated by the children of Israel? Moses shared God's instructions with the Israelites. On the fourteenth day of the first month of the Jewish year, every household was to sacrifice a one year old, male lamb that was without defect. Their meal was to consist of roasted lamb, unleavened bread, and bitter herbs. But the meal was not the main focus of the celebration.

There were very important instructions regarding the blood of the slain lamb. Moses explained God's directions, "And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the bason and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the bason; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning. For the Lord will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the Lord will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you," (Exodus 12:22-23; KJV).

What a beautiful picture! It provides a glimpse of God's ultimate plan. Fast forward many years, to the day when the perfect Lamb of God became the final sacrifice ever needed. As Jesus Christ hung on the cross, the sinless Son of God shed His blood to pay the sin debt owed by mankind.

Just as the children of Israel had to apply the blood of the slain lamb to the top and sides of their doorposts to avoid physical death, each person must put his/her faith in Christ's sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins, in order to avoid eternal separation from God. The Apostle Paul states clearly, "But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ," (Ephesians 2:13).

The lambs sacrificed by the Israelites remained dead. The miracle of Easter is that Christ didn't remain in the tomb, He rose from the dead! He conquered sin, death, and the grave for you and me. His Word proclaims the truth, "And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay," (Matthew 28:5-6).

This Easter, enjoy a delicious meal and time spent with family, but choose to focus on the main reason we celebrate - the sacrifice Jesus Christ made for you, and His resurrection from the dead! Hallelujah! He is risen!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank You for sending Your Son to shed His blood on the cross to pay for my sins. Forgive me when I allow things to distract me from the true meaning of Easter. Help me to embrace Your sacrifice and share the good news of Your resurrection with others. In Jesus' name, Amen.