Be Slow to Anger 

This is a topic that I must talk about with you all because it affects me as much as it affects many other Christians today! We must, and I mean MUST be slow to anger. I really want to talk about this to be able to both correct, encourage and edify myself but also for everyone else out there too!

The Bible says many times to be slow to anger and to not be angry when the sun goes down, meaning to not continue to stay angry as the day ends. “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:…Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: neither give place to the devil” (James 1:19; Ephesians 4:26-27).

(Picture from King James Bible Online)

Anger is not a good emotion to feel or experience or have to control our thoughts, and more importantly, our actions. We know just from our own personal experiences as well as seeing others that anger can lead to people committing sinful and regretful actions. Nothing good ever comes from being angry. The only exception which I will also discuss is righteous anger. There is a difference of course.

Anger can start as a result of certain things happening to us in the day, or to others, particular actions that people may commit against us, certain events taken place; so many different factors. Sometimes we don’t think before we speak or act and our responses to these events makes us angry and frustrated. The most important thing to understand though, and to work on, is changing our mindset. If we are able to truly focus on changing the way we think and respond to certain things that can cause us to be angry, then it’s just going to make us feel much calmer and happier, and more in control of our emotions, and our actions too. “He that [hath] no rule over his own spirit [is like] a city [that is] broken down, [and] without walls” (Proverbs 25:28).

(Picture from Imgram)

In Proverbs 16:32, it says, “[He that is] slow to anger [is] better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city”. We must be able to be slow to anger, to suppress or control those emotions from bursting out and dictating our minds and our actions; to be humble and not seek revenge. We must be able to forgive and move forward, not to retaliate. Our spirit must be calm and gentle, for we are children of God. We must reflect our faith in Him in everything that we do and feel. God will give us the wisdom and strength to control potential anger outbursts. When we overcome this, we can feel a huge sense of relief, and victory over this, and can rejoice in the lessons and guidance that God has provided us with! He can allow us to have a more generous spirit, one that is able to take a stance over these affections.  Our management and success in our own emotions and actions is a constant battle.

God tells us how we should be. He did not create us to have such a harsh spirit. He tells us in Galatians 5:22-26, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.” We, as Christians, must have a kind, gentle and meek spirit. Ladies, this is how we should especially be! We cannot be a brawling woman in our household and around our friends and others. “It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house” (Proverbs 21:9).

(Picture from Word Herald)

The only exception to feeling anger is when it is righteous anger. Now what is the difference between righteous anger and anger in general? Righteous anger is when you are justified and right to be angry because you are angry about things that would make God angry. For example, I recently watched a video of this woman who severely mistreated her son, the father lost custody despite paying ongoing child support, and it took several several years for justice to be served for the abuse that the mother did to her child.

We as Christians should have a sense of morality: of what is right and what is wrong, in accordance to the Bible, as that is our foundation. Jesus Himself was filled with righteous anger when He saw people in God’s temple gambling and selling unclean animals. He flipped over the money changers’ tables and made a whip to drive the people out. He was furious because these people were defiling God’s house. Being angry over what would make God angry is not wrong to feel or do so.

(Picture from Crisis Magazine)

When we hear about false prophets/teachers perverting the Bible, teaching false doctrines and leading people astray, we have every right to be angry! When we hear about homosexuality being legalised and infiltrating our schools and our children’s learning, we have every right to be angry! Or when we hear about the feminist agenda to take God’s natural design of men having authority and being the provider of households, and women being meek and submissive, we have every right to be angry! These evil acts/agendas should rise up the righteous anger within us.

Unrighteous anger, as I’ve been talking about, is usually when a person is mad over very petty or selfish things, and cannot contain or control their emotions. They are quick to anger over certain matters that can be dealt with in another manner. It is about things that do not relate to God or have a Godly reason to feel justified in being angry. “Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools” (Ecclesiastes 7:9)

Overall, when people have issues with their anger (unrighteously speaking), they must acknowledge that it is not how we are designed to be, it is not part of the fruits of the spirit, and thus, the best thing to do is to give it all to God in prayer. He created us, He is our Lord and Savior, our Heavenly Father and comforter. He will guide us on the right path and correct us in our ways! “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose” (Romans 8:28).

I hope this encourages others out there; ladies especially!

God Bless.

 

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