Do you struggle with anger?

Have you struggled with anger lately? One of the negative side effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the media’s obsession with bad news is depression and anger. I found myself going to bed angry, and I noticed others, too, were on edge. I’m very careful now with the amount of social media and media that I consume daily. The news seemed to glorify hatred, prejudice, riots, and chaos. The world appeared to be falling into chaos, and there seemed to be nothing I could do about it. It made me mad.

Do you ever get angry? What event or person seems to light your fire? I must admit that I had to seek counseling to process my feelings. I’ve prayed a lot more and added skiing, hiking, biking, and kayaking to my weekly schedule.

The Bible tells us, “‘In your anger do not sin’: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.” (Ephesians 4:26-27, NIV) It also instructs us, “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” (James 1:19-20, NIV)

Anger is a normal reaction to many events and people. However, the Bible is clear that I need to control my anger and process it in a healthy way. I don’t want to sin in my anger, and I really don’t want to give the devil a foothold in my brain and spirit. So here are a few important things I do daily:

1. Forgive people
2. Exercise
3. Journal my emotions and adventures
4. Read my Bible
5. Ask the Holy Spirit to fill me anew and help me.

You can control and process your anger. It doesn’t have to control you because you are a miracle.

Your friend, Paul Marc Goulet

P.S. The texts of this reading come from the daily email A Miracle Every Day. If you want to receive an email every day, I invite you to subscribe to A Miracle Every Day.