2:15 – I Made Myself Angry

#faithbites #faithjourney Angry

This #faithbite is going to the pot calling the kettle black or an example where I should practice what I preach, but here goes nothing.

The past couple of days I have been angry. I receive bad news from someone and I get mad. Someone doesn’t do something that I thought they should and I let myself get mad. Others provide feedback that I don’t agree with and I get angry. It hasn’t been a good couple of days, but I have faith and know things will get better.

If you noticed something about the paragraph above, there were lot’s of I statements. I got mad, I got angry, I received bad news. Many times when we talk about how we feel, especially angry, we say so and so got me mad. I’m mad because he did this or she didn’t do that. It’s her fault I am mad. If he just did this, then I wouldn’t be mad.

Here’s the thing, (and yes, I know it sounds like Shrink Speak), no one can make you mad. You let yourself get mad by how you view, react, and internalize what is going on. I’m not saying it’s easy to not get mad. I’m not saying it’s not easy to blame others for it. But in the end, it is ourselves who let us get mad or angry or upset. We aren’t to push down these feelings and ignore it, but accept them, and work through them. We have guidance to help us.

Scripture

• “In your anger do not sin” Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. – Ephesians 4:26-27
• Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah – Proverbs 4:4
• Stop being angry!
      Turn from your rage!
  Do not lose your temper—
      it only leads to harm. – Psalm 37:8

Reflection

When we look at these verses, and the Psalms verse has many interesting translations, they show us that there are two types of anger. The feeling and the action. We aren’t told not to feel anger. Rather we are told not to let our anger turn into sin or into actions we may regret. And yes, this is easier said than done.

Our emotions only have as much power as we give them. When everything is hitting the fan, when things you have been working on a long time seem to go to pot, when people aren’t living up to your expectations, it’s very very tough to not let yourself be mad. It’s hard to not let that angry feeling turn into angry or sinful actions.

This is the time when we need to look to God for help and support. It may be a friendly song a friend shares, some prayers from others, the quiet of prayer, or the realization that it’s not as bad as you think it is.

This is not easy. Being mad sucks. Having things not go your way is a disappointment. We aren’t banned from having these feelings. We should use our faith to help us not let these feelings turn into sinful actions.

Charge

Next time you get mad, think about two things. First, what happened that caused your anger. Second, why did you let yourself get mad? It’s ok, that you did, but why did you and how are you going to redirect that to not sin? Taking a few minutes to be mad and upset is ok. Then think about what the next steps are to handle, cope, and move on.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, help me with my anger. Remind me that my anger is from how I react to the choices of others, but it is my choice to be angry. Give me the knowledge to know how to not commit sinful acts when I am angry. Provide me the strength to know that this isn’t as bad as I think it is and that with your guidance, I will prevail. In your name, Amen.