ANGER Pt II

III. It’s Killing Me
Not only can anger affect others around us, it can hurt us.

A tranquil heart is life to the body, But passion is rottenness to the bones.
Prov 14:30 (NASB)

In Hebrew, “passion” is qinah and is also translated as anger, envy, jealousy, rivalry, etc. Anyway you slice it, you can get in trouble.

Anatomical research has shown that our body is designed to release certain chemicals (i.e. adrenaline) en masse when we perceive that we are in peril. Anger releases similar chemicals in doses that can be harmful to our body when they are not “burned off” (like, by running away from a lion). A search on www.WebMD.com brought up 700+ articles dealing with anger. Research demonstrates that excessive or prolonged anger can have serious health effects and shorten your life span due to the stress it places on your body, esp. on blood pressure and the heart. Point of fact, I have witnessed someone nearly die from a heart attack during a fit of rage… they were unfortunately arguing with me.

IV. Backstabber or Stab-Backer?
Much anger in our lives stems from our inability to allow things to roll off. You don’t hold a grudge, a grudge holds you. The Bible urges us:

A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.
Prov 12:16 (NIV)

Slowness to anger makes for a deep understanding; a quick-tempered person stock-piles stupidity.
Prov 14:29 The Message

A man's wisdom gives him patience;
it is to his glory to overlook an offense.
Prov 19:11 (NIV)

A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise person quietly holds it back.”
Proverbs 29:11

But I say unto you, that ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
Matt 5:39 (KJV)