It was the second class of the new semester. The professor entered the classroom walking rapidly. Before getting behind his desk he snapped, “Hold up your assignment with your right hand!”
One student, however, held up his assignment with his left hand.
Angrily the professor looked at the student and shouted, “Your right hand you stupid idiot!”
Calmly, the student responded, “Sir, this is the only hand I have. I lost my right hand in combat.”
The Greeks defined anger as a “brief madness.” In Scripture it has several meanings, including “strong feelings of displeasure, fury or wrath.” Whichever meaning we choose leads to the same outcome: the expression of destructive behavior. When we become angry, we are not in control of ourselves and we do things that are displeasing to God and harmful to others.
The Psalmists always give good advice. When speaking of anger and self-control one of them said, “Stop your anger! Turn from your wrath.”
When we become angry, we usually become frustrated, lose control of our emotions and then take it out on others. We think that we know what they should do and assume a role that is reserved for God. Better for the Christian to turn anger into affection and frustration into forgiveness and prayer.
Prayer: Help us, Savior, to fill our hearts with Your love. May we honor others as You do, Lord, and seek to build them up rather than to tear them down in anger. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Scripture for Today: Psalm 37:8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret—it only causes harm.
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