Monday; October 15


         The Bible gets right to the point on the issue of anger.  While it appears there are times when righteous anger might be fitting, the Word of God strongly cautions us against being too quick to be angry.  The Old Testament book of Proverbs advises, “A man of great anger will bear the penalty, For if you rescue him, you will only have to do it again.” (Proverbs 19:19) while the New Testament challenges, “This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.” (James 1:19-20).  It might have been easier for us if the Bible would have just gone ahead and prohibited us from becoming angry, but it’s cautions remind us to tread lightly or we may overstep our boundaries.
          As I thought about anger I got to wondering what is important enough for me to be angry about?  Knowing that there can be a thin line between righteous indignation and destructive anger, when should I become angry?  Aware of the damage that anger can do – to others and to ourselves – where can I rationalize becoming angry?  I don’t know that we can always define areas where righteous indignation can be applied, but we can sure see some situations where it doesn’t apply – when someone cuts us off in traffic, when we are short-changed in the check-out line, in a discussion over our favorite sports team, debates over political policies and disputes with our neighbors over our property line or their dog.  
          The next time we start to feel the twinge of anger creeping in, let’s ask ourselves if this circumstance is worth losing our relationship with the other person and with our God.  Chances are it isn’t, so why risk stepping over the line?
          Think About It!

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