Faithful Man: Devotions for Living in Faithless TimesSample

BE THE MAN WHO HOLDS BACK ANGER

Getting cut off in traffic...being held up in the grocery aisle...sitting next to a talker in the theater. We all have things that make us angry. Being angry, in itself, isn’t sin. How we deal with anger could be, though. Proverbs 29:11 (nlt) says, “Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back.” This doesn’t mean we should always swallow our anger—that just causes an ulcer. It means we shouldn’t let rage rule our actions. “Think before you speak,” is more than good parental advice. It’s the top anger management tip in an article by the Mayo Clinic. Second on the list: “Once you’re calm, express your anger.” These tips fit well with what the Bible teaches. Ecclesiastes 7:9 (nlt) says, “Control your temper, for anger labels you a fool.” And Ephesians 4:26–27 (nlt) says, “‘Don’t sin by letting anger control you.’ Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.” It’s healthy to take a moment to calm down when we’re riled. But when we try to ignore what’s bothering us, we do more harm than good. It’s always best to address our anger while we still remember what we’re angry about. Faithful men deal with their frustration in healthy ways, knowing that God will bring justice in the end. You can either trust Him and let go of your anger, or your anger will lead you to sin. The choice is yours.

What makes you angry? How can you address your anger and give it to God?