ANGER CYCLE

I am not perfect, so I often ask God to guard my tongue.

I would like to say that I’m a wonderful wife and mother, my house is spotless, my cooking is spot-on delicious, and I always greet everyone with a genuine smile. I’d like to be everything to everybody, but I’m often not.

I’m getting older now, and some days, I hurt or am too tired to get my work done. I don’t always feel like smiling, and sometimes, even little things become big aggravations. I get frustrated easily because I can’t do the things I once did, nor do I have the energy to do what I want.

These frustrations lead to anger. At times, the anger festers, surfaces, and spills out, affecting those around me.

On one such day, I lashed out at my husband, even though he was only trying to help.

CONSEQUENCES

Once spoken, we can’t take back angry words. I can cover a nail hole with wood putty or glue, but the ugly scar remains where the nail first entered. Still, trying to repair the hole is better than leaving it open to the elements to become larger or spoil the whole wooden plank.

Likewise, even though I seldom let it out, I am responsible to make amends when I’ve released unchecked anger. I need to apologize, and I do. I want to be good to my family, so I try not to say unkind things.

SIN NOT

Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil.

~Ephesians 4:26-27 KJV

The Bible says to be angry and not sin. God knows we will become angry. Some anger is righteous, as when we see injustices in the world and want to mend them. The wrong kind of anger belittles, tries to hurt someone, and ultimately destroys relationships if left unchecked.

This verse also says not to let the sun go down on our wrath. That could have a double meaning. First, if we are angry with someone and hurt them, we should apologize and try to make things right again before we go to bed. Anger can rob both us and the one we offended of a peaceful night’s sleep. Second, we can decide how to right the wrong and then do it.

BE KIND; FORSAKE ALL TYPES OF ANGER

Let all bitterness, and wrath, anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

~Ephesians 4:31-32 KJV

Paul said to put away wrath, anger, and evil speaking–in all its forms–and replace it with tenderness, forgiveness, and kindness. I need to guard my tongue.

FORGIVE, FOR WE HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN

Friend, no one is perfect, but even in our imperfect state, Christ died for our sins and forgave us. We need to forgive those around us who have wronged us, and we need to forgive ourselves for our failings.

I’ve decided that the next time I want to lash out, I’ll remember the nails in the wood–both in this story, and on the cross. Please consider doing the same.

What are steps you can take to control anger?

Heavenly Father, be the balm that soothes the ache from my wrongdoings. Cleanse me where I have failed, and let me seek their forgiveness as well as Yours. Help me to not dampen my testimony of being Your child by unchecked anger. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2022: Guard My Tongue: Deanna Stalnaker: All Rights Reserved