Anger

UNDER CONTROL

“ ‘The LORD is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation.’ ”

nUmbers 14:18

Hurt that overwhelms makes it easy for us to be angry in everything, Lord. We have less patience with others, situations become stressful, and it’s hard to keep life under control.

Thank You for reminding me of Your own nature, which forgave me for so much. Since You want me to become just like You, You call me not to accept quick anger but to avoid all wrongdoing that deserves punishment.

I know I can’t do this on my own, so forgive me and fi ll me with Your Spirit, Lord. I need patience and love in this time of trouble.

STRIFE

“For as churning the milk produces butter. . . so stirring up anger produces strife.”

proverbs 30:33 Loss can bring the worst out in all of us, Lord. When we’re under pressure, it’s easy to lay blame, pick quarrels with friends, and irritate family members. We’re highly stressed, and Satan may try to take advantage of that.

Help me not to stir up anger in others or myself. Your Word promises that as surely as churning milk makes butter, stirring the pot of anger creates problems between people. I don’t want to damage tomorrow’s relationships because I’m hurting now.

Instead of churning emotions, I need Your peace, Lord. Please turn my heart from sin and pour out Your calm on me so I can live quietly in the midst of trials.

RIGHTEOUS LIVING

Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.

james 1:19–20

You guarantee me, Lord, that my angry words won’t get me anywhere I want to go. Spiritual blessings never result from human anger. Though emotion may bend people to my will today, I will pay, long-term, for that emotional shortcut. In the end, I’ll wish I had held my tongue.

Help me listen to others, speak carefully, and hold my temper. Though it takes effort on my part, it also brings great benefi ts.

I want to live to glorify You, Lord, even when I’m hurting. But I can only do that through Your Spirit’s power. Fill me today so I can touch my world.

MERCIFUL FORGIVENESS

Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.

micaH 7:18 People in pain can generate a lot of anger, Lord. Disappointment, doubt, and fear cause us to strike out at others, even though we know this is not right.

If anger stirs my emotions, remind me of Your forgiveness and mercy, poured out into my heart. Help me grab hold of them and pass them on to others.

I don’t want to start a fi ght and produce bad feelings that last forever, Lord—or even for a while. Instead, I want to forgive and share Your mercy, even when there is still so much pain.