Dealing With Anger In Light of God's Goodness--Day 240 Through The Bible

                        People are not unlike hummingbirds that continually engage in battle over their territory. 

Ecclesiastes 7:9, "Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry, for anger rests in the bosom of fools".  Dr. Stanley writes about the subject of anger in his Life's Lessons section of today's study.  In Ephesians 4:26, we are instructed to "Be angry, and sin not".  Anger and sin are separated in this passage, however there is a line we cross where anger changes into sin.  Dr. Stanley lists 4 red flags that tell us when we have crossed over into sin.  While it is obvious that verbal abuse and physical violence clearly cross the line, other sins related to anger may not be as recognizable. These include strife, bitterness, isolation, and retaliation.  Conflict can lead to contempt which can take root in our hearts in the form of bitterness. "Nursing our anger leads to people being separated from each other" (Dr. Stanley).  This can occur when we fail to address issues and resolve differences quickly.  The last part of Ephesians 4: 26, advocates dealing with anger the same day and not allowing it to be carried over into the next day--"let not the sun go down upon your wrath".  We are to leave repayment for evil up to God rather than having our hearts filled with vengeance. The longer we wait to address anger the more difficult it will be to root it out. God's wisdom is perfect and He will help us deal with our stuff if we will ask.

Psalm 103:1, "all that is within me, bless His holy name". We cannot set aside areas of our heart that are off limits to God.  If there's something we should become obsessed with, let it be praising God! David counts his blessings in this Psalm and tells his soul not to forget all God's benefits.  He proceeds to list them:
"Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
Who satisfies your mouth with good things.
The results--So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's".

Foolishness is a recurring word in the book of Proverbs. It can mean "brainlessness" and "stupidity".  We will do stupid things when we act without thinking and unless we have a storehouse of knowledge and wisdom to draw upon. When we are in a relationship with God we have the option of asking God for wisdom and He not only promises He will give it to us, but He has a reputation of generosity--of giving liberally.  And, He doesn't scold us or reprove us (upbraid us) because we need His wisdom (James 1:5).  It's a wonderful experience to listen to someone speak who has godly wisdom. It is rare and grabs attention. In contrast, verse 7, says those devoid of wisdom do not open their mouths in the gate--the gate of the city was the place where business was carried out. Verse 9 says that "the devising of foolishness (dumb ideas) is sin".  Scoffers are those who mock, ridicule, and belittle others. Verse 9, says such people "are an abomination to men".

The Old Testament is often devalued and not considered as applicable as the New Testament for modern day Christians.  In I Corinthians 10, Paul reminds us of (or perhaps reveals) the fact that the God of Israel who took care of them in the wilderness was none other than Christ--the spiritual Rock.  We miss a great deal when we blindly accept what we hear about the Bible as truth without reading it for ourselves. Paul continues expounding upon the importance of Israel's history for us, "Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come"!  Examples help us get the point and God wants us to learn from their mistakes and sins so that we can avoid experiencing the related consequences and penalties.

Paul writes in verse 14 of I Corinthians 10, "Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry"!  Just as we are to deal with anger quickly, we are also admonished to "run" from idolatry (and other sins). Joseph left us with the perfect example of getting away from sin in Genesis 39, when he fled from Pharoah's wife and her attempt to seduce him. Our communion is with Christ and not sin and idolatry.  Our relationship with Christ is truly "the cup of blessing" and all who are part of the body of Christ partake of the same "bread".  Even so, we should be found putting away anger and being careful not to allow it to take root, especially in the Church, the body of Christ.