Do not be eager in your heart to be angry, for anger dwells in the heart of fools.
Ecclesiastes 7:9 (AMP)
Have you ever known someone of quick temper, whose default response to many situations was anger? I believe people who rush to anger lack the discipline of self-control. We can’t develop into emotionally stable, mature, victorious Christians if we don’t learn to exercise self-control by managing our emotions, especially the emotion of anger.
Ecclesiastes 7:9 is only one of many Bible verses about anger. Another is James 1:19–20: Let everyone be quick to hear [be a careful, thoughtful listener], slow to speak [a speaker of carefully chosen words and], slow to anger [patient, reflective, forgiving]; for the [resentful, deep-seated] anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God [that standard of behavior which He requires from us] (AMP).
Notice that the “anger of man does not produce” righteousness. Part of righteousness (being what God wants us to be) is fulfilling His purpose and plan for our lives and living up to our potential. We cannot do this without learning to restrain our anger.
We all want to fulfill our potential and do all God calls us to do, but we don’t always want to operate within the boundaries of self-control. If we really want to grow spiritually, we must discipline our passions. This doesn’t mean we have to be perfect or can never make mistakes. Although the Holy Spirit will give us power to control our emotions, we may still lose our temper at times. But as soon as we do, we should immediately confess it, repent, receive God’s forgiveness, and move forward.
Prayer of the Day: When I feel angry, Lord, help me slow down and remember to ask You to help me control my emotions.
