"DON'T SIN BY LETTING ANGER CONTROL YOU."
EPHESIANS 4:26 NLT
A guy's car stalled at an intersection causing a chorus of honking horns from behind. He got out, walked calmly to the next car in line and said, "Sorry, I can't get my car started. If you'd like to give it a shot I'll sit here and honk your horn!" When you don't know how to handle your anger properly, two things happen: (1) You stay angry. You walk around with your thermostat at boiling point. Be realistic. More problems in life are forgotten than are ever resolved to our liking. (2) You don't get angry even when it's appropriate. Consequently, issues that could build character, end up creating vacillation and indifference. Express your anger the right way! When you lack the courage to confront your boss or an associate at work, you're more likely to explode at home. Jesus said, "If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you" (Mt 18:15 NIV). Sometimes we're supposed to get angry. Paul writes: "When Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed...he would eat with the Gentiles; but when [the Jews] came, he...separated himself, fearing [them]...the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite...so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy" (Gal 2:11-13 NKJV). It's wrong to tolerate wrong when you can do something about it. Just do it the scriptural way. Say what you have to in kindness. This is called "speaking the truth in love" (Eph 4:15). Slamming doors and storming out are un-Christ like and counterproductive. Direct your anger toward the problem, not the person.
