Am I the Only One Who Gets Angry?

“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 NIV)

Hello! I am just wondering…am I the only one who has at least one specific trigger that invokes anger? Possibly a slow line at the bank or food store? People talking inside a Movie Theatre? The loss of basic manners? Perhaps someone cracking their gum? (Oy Vey, I just can’t!)

Well for me, I think it is definitely driving. I live on Long Island (yes, on, not in). We have LOTS of people here-thus, lots of traffic. My point is…driving can be very challenging between the sheer volume of drivers and the limited space on the roads. Therefore, one needs much patience-which frankly… is not my strong suit. Am I judging everybody’s driving in a manner in which I do not see fit? You betcha! Do I think I am right? Of course I do! Am I proud of this? Absolutely not!  (However, I do think I can lose my salvation driving.) That’s not a Theological statement-it’s coming from a flawed sinner who needs a Savior. Although I am sure God looks down from Heaven and shakes His head at me and says “not again Melody!”

The gist is my reaction is actually anger rather than impatience. Anger in itself is not always bad. Biblically speaking there are two types of anger. There is: Righteous Anger -a Holy response to injustice and Sinful Anger-which is driven by pride, bitterness, or vengeance.  Anger is acknowledged in Scripture, but warns that without self-control, it can lead to being unprotected spiritually and to sin. I have been very unkind in words and thoughts towards drivers on the road. I’ve actually had friends on the phone while doing this. My friend, Rose doesn’t think driving agrees with me and sometimes I think she is correct!  As a Born-Again Christian, my response is beyond appalling because my bad behavior is a very poor representation of God- especially taking into consideration that I am His child. “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free from perversity, keep corrupt talk far from your lips.” (Proverbs 4:23-24). Consequently, when I let anger get the better of me, I defile God’s reputation. I know God does not need me to uphold His character but I don’t have to diminish it either.  

So why do I act like that? The truth…usually it happens when my walk with God is not where it is supposed to be-meaning I am not spending enough time with God through prayer and reading His Word. For me-my reactions are a direct result of neglecting time with my Saviour. It’s like I “undo” what God has already corrected. For a lack of a better way of saying this…it’s like going off your “spiritual diet”. Many of have been on a diet throught our life and we are aware of the consequences of becoming unhealthy physically-this is the spititual equivalent. It pretty much is the same way when we disregard God and the application of His Word. “Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forebearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?” (Romans 2:4).

So, what is the remedy? Repentance. What is repentance? Repentance is more than feeling sorry for your sin. It is an active mindset to change one’s behavior. It is a 180-degree turn from sin-which means walking away from it. “That’s great!” one may say-but how?” Self-control. In the Bible, self-control is defined as the mastery over one’s desires, impulses, emotions, and actions. It is much more than willpower. It is viewed as a spiritual discipline and a “fruit of the Holy Spirit”. For believers, it is to align their lives with the will of God versus yielding to temptations in the flesh. For those who belong to Jesus, scripture says “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23}

We always have a choice whether or not we obey God.  But we also have the choice to Renew our hearts with God as well.  

Please continue to join me at A Renewed Heart as we grow together throughout our journeys.