ANGER Pt V

Solutions From Scripture & Common Sense:

· Pray and Praise: 2 Chr 20 (Jehosephat): When the people of Israel had their back to the wall, Jehosephat sent the praise team ahead of the army, and victory came. Often times anger is the result of being wrapped up in ourselves. Beware of becoming a spiritual Pollyanna; however, know that accentuating the posititve can make a huge difference. In this case, praise of God can chase away the Devil's scheme to submurge you into sulking anger. As Tony Evans aptly put it, "Praise is an allergen to the Enemy, he flees at the first sign of it!"

· Study the Word: Heb 4:12: There is nothing in life that the Bible does not deal with at some level. Turn to the word when you are angry, you might find comfort; you might even get more angry when you look in the mirror of God's word. But in the end, you will find solace there.

· Repent of your anger.

· Get a punching bag/ take a hike: It helps more than you might think. Pillows work too. :)

· Find something constructive to do: clean the garage, paint a fence, heck... build a fence, something to give you time to simmer down. You have all that adrenaline anyway, why not make use of it!

· Don’t Allow it to Fester: Eph 4:26: Do all that you can to resolve your frustrations in the day they happen. You may not be able to sqaure up with a person who has upset you, but you can square up with God on it. Do all you can not to go to bed angry.

· Talk it Out: Unresolved conflict hinders the ministry of the church: "If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. Matt 18:15 (NASB) Do all in your power to reconcile, but know that sometimes you have to stand your ground. To quote Mark Morey, "When you're in the right, you're in the right..."

· Take it Easy: A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult. Prov 12:16 (NIV): Sometimes, what has upset you was purely accidental. I recall innocently telling a joke that had deep racial connotations,; I really hurt someone but was completely oblivious to what I had done until someone told me that I had inadvertently used a racial slur. On the other hand, I have been 'certain' that someone was running me down when I was really misinterpreting them. Either way, getting bent out of shape over it is foolish. Try to give people the benefit of the doubt whenever possible.

· Starve It! Just like any sinful behavior you can starve it to death. Don’t feed it with angry music, or angry people etc… For lack of wood the fire goes out, And where there is no whisperer, contention quiets down. Prov 26:20 (NASB).

· Think Before You Speak! He who gives an answer before he hears, It is folly and shame to him. Prov 18:13 (NASB)

· Obey God: "If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it." Gen 4:7: Anger lurks as a predator, but you can master it. If you are seeking God first, you are likely to find it easier to deal with the frustrations of life. It makes it more difficult for the Devil to find a foothold when you are on guard.