Every destructive emotion bears its own harvest, but anger's fruit is the most bitter of all. Uncontrolled anger is a devastating sin, and no none is exempt from its havoc. We get angry when others hurt us, both by what they say and what they do. We get angry too when we don't get our own way or our plans and dreams are frustrated. Anger may arise in an instant, erupting like a volcano and raining destruction on everyone in sight.
Is anger ever justified? Yes - when it is caused by injustice and sin instead of our selfishness or hurt pride. God is angry when His righteousness is scorned; Jesus forcefully drove out from the temple those who were callously making money from God's people. We must be careful, however; sometimes our so-called "righteous indignation" is little more than a cover for lovelessness or self-righteousness.
How should we deal with anger? The answer is decisively! The first step in gaining victory over unjustified anger is to want to get rid of it - and the key to that is to see it for what it is: sin in God's eyes.
The second step - as with every other sin - is to confess it to God, and seek His forgiveness and help. On the cross Christ took upon Himself every sin you ever committed - including your anger. God in His love and mercy not only promises to forgive our anger, but to cleanse it from our lives if we will let Him. No matter its cause, commit your anger to God, and ask Him to replace it with the Holy Spirit's fruit of "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control". Notice: Anger is the exact opposite of every one of these. Anger flees when the Spirit's fruit fills our hearts.
-- quotations from <The Journey - How to Live by Faith in An Uncertain World> by Billy Graham
Thank God for these words of wisdom. Recently, many times in my workplace, I became angry when I didn't get my own way, or that person gave a hard time again. Like what mentioned above, anger arose in an instant, erupting like a volcano. But I will NOT allow it to steal and to destroy. LORD, forgive me! May the Spirit fill me, cleanse me, change me, so that I shall bear fruits.
