June 8, 2009 Anger
Today’s Bible Reading: Ecclesiastes 7–9; Ephesians 4
Scripture Focus:
Ecclesiastes 7:9 Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry,
For anger rests in the bosom of fools.
Ephesians 4:26–27 “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil.
Ephesians 4:31–32 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.
Observation:
Anger is spoken of in several of today’s passages. I don’t usually consider myself to be an angry person, yet it’s amazing what can bring out anger. Sometimes it’s not even another person. Sometimes it’s circumstances, like delays on the freeways, missing a turnoff, wasting half an hour driving around in an unfamiliar part of town, and having to reschedule an appointment because of it. Yes, all that happened to me this morning, and I felt very angry.
From today’s passages I can see that:
• Quick anger is a characteristic of a fool. Hmmm. Don’t want that.
• Be angry, and do not sin” seems to indicate that how we handle anger determines whether we sin or not
• If we don’t handle anger well, we give place to the devil.
• God wants us to put away wrath and anger (along with bitterness, evil speaking and malice).
• God wants us instead to be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving.
• Remembering that God forgave me through Christ will bring much needed perspective.
Application:
Not much to say here except “Do it.” Let anger be a flare or signal that I need to stop and get my head straight.
Prayer:
Father God, you have forgiven me all. Help me to be as generous today.
