Anger – Philippians 2:14
Do all things without grumbling or disputing.
Once again, gentleness fled, and I acted like an angry, petulant child. After decades of faith in Christ, when provoked, I struck out. As I sat, dejected, confessing my sin and praying for cleansing from anger,[1] I cried out, “Father, will Your peace never reign within me.[2] Will I never allow it to stand guard over my heart and mind in Christ Jesus?”[3]
As I prayed, the Lord gave me fresh insight into my anger, showing me that I too frequently allowed it to thread through my everyday life, not in an occasional outburst, but in complaining, in failing to rejoice under troubling or trying circumstances. Thus exposed, I understood that my simmering anger would have to go, and the Lord gave me the antidote: praise and thanksgiving. When confronted with an astonishingly slow clerk at the checkout counter, I should be praising God for the food in my basket rather than complaining. When the person in front of me is driving 20 in a 35 mph zone, I should be giving thanks for my car, gasoline, and the freedom to go wherever I want, rather than grumbling over a few minutes delay.
I realized that anger was too often my natural response to having my time imposed upon by another, not so much in major events, but ironically in little things, the things that had minuscule or no impact on my life. As I acknowledged my impatience as sin, I gained a new perspective into the importance of bringing every thought captive to Jesus Christ.[4]
Having determined to rejoice always and refrain from grumbling and disputing, I find myself challenged by the daily opportunities the Lord gives me to lay anger aside. Oh, and how sorely I would despair over my failures were it not for the Lord’s promise that He will be faithful to continue the good work that He began in me so long ago when I first became a part of His family, through my acceptance of Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior.[5]
Do you struggle with anger? If so, determine to gain victory over it in
all of its forms. Cede control to the
Spirit of the living God, and let Him replace your peevishness with songs of praise. Allow the love of Christ to fill the places
where frustration resides, and step into the place called Joy where you will
have peace in your soul.[6]
[1] 1 John 1:9
[2] Colossians 3:15
[3] Philippians 4:7
[4] 2 Corinthians 10:5
[5] 1 Corinthians 1:4-8
[6] Romans 5:1
