SNAP!

All of us have anger that lives within us, it is just prompted by different triggers. Some are quick to express their anger, some are slow and some fight to suppress it. Regardless of the reason for anger, the Bible has answers on how we should deal with it as Christians. Of all our emotions, anger is the most intense, destructive and unhealthy emotion we can experience. There are many translations of Proverbs 11:17, but I have chosen the New Living Translation, "Your kindness will reward you, but your cruelty will destroy you." Our prayers should be that God changes our hearts as we allow Him to work through us when we encounter times when we are triggered to SNAP. If smoke is coming from a car, then typically there is a problem hidden deeper inside the vehicle. Smoke coming from a vehicle is often used as an analogy when referencing an angry person. If someone is quickly angered, it is usually because there too is something hidden inside that is causing a person's reaction. It is beneficial for each one of us if we can look inside ourselves and determine what is causing our anger. If we can understand the source, then we are more likely to be able to deal with it and also pray specifically for God to remove it from our hearts. Listed are some of the scriptures that speak on the results of anger: Psalms 37:8 "Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil." Proverbs 15:18 "A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention." Proverbs 29:22 "A man of wrath stirs up strife, and one given to anger causes much transgression." People might argue some anger is justified, and rightly so. However no matter the justification, anger and strife can destroy us and wreak havoc in our lives. God's word also offers some guidance on how to deal with anger. Proverbs 14:16,17 "A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident. He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly: and a man of wicked devices is hated." Proverbs 14:29 "Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly." Proverbs 19:11 "Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense." James 1:19,20 "Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God." Repeatedly in the scriptures we hear to be slow to anger and also to put our anger to the side. In Colossians 3:8, 12-13 we are told "But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive."

Dealing with Anger Correctly:
■Recognize the emotion and the potential for damage.
■Try to discern the cause of your anger. Is it legitimate? If not, simply refuse to be angry. Let it slide. Don’t worry about it.
■Do not let it simmer. This leads to bitterness and hatred.
■Do not let it explode. This hurts others and yourself.
■Confess your sin and make restitution
■THERE IS NO NEED TO LET EVERYONE ELSE KNOW THAT YOU ARE ANGRY.
■Re direct it. Channel the power of the emotion into a solution of the problem.
■Focus on the problem, not on people.
■Don’t try to pay back the one who caused the problem. God is the judge; He will repay.

Some Quotes on Anger:
If you are patient in one moment of anger, you will escape a hundred days of sorrow. -- Chinese Proverb.
Anger, if not restrained, is frequently more hurtful to us than the injury that provokes it. -- Seneca.
The greatest remedy for anger is delay. -- Seneca.
For every minute you remain angry, you give up sixty seconds of peace of mind. -- Ralph Waldo Emerson.