Why is it that the people who are the closest and dearest to us can make us the maddest?  It’s quite the mystery!!

I’ve talked to enough people in the last few days since we all returned from Thanksgiving break to know that there are many people stuck in this conundrum.  Arguments, fights, hateful words and downright fits of insanity are not uncommon among many families.  Sigh.

Misery loves company and in this case it’s nice to know that we are not alone.

Between brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, spouses, children and the in-laws – there isn’t a family out there that doesn’t experience conflict on an occasion or two (or three, four, five).

The real question is how do we handle the differences when they arise?

God has lots to say on the subject of anger.  In fact, I read over 50 scriptures that all basically said anger leads to foolishness and sin…which is not at all surprising.

BUT…why do we have such a hard time dealing with our anger?  No wonder God has so many comments on this issue!!  We really stink at controlling the rage that flows from our mouths.

• Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil. Psalm 37:8
• Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly. Proverbs 14:29
• For the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. James 1:20
• Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger…. James 1:19
• Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Ephesians 4:31
• Be not quick in your spirit to become angry, for anger lodges in the bosom of fools. Ecclesiastes 7:9
• A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back. Proverbs 29:11

Clearly, spewing our anger is not what God intends for any of us to do.  However, this is probably one of the hardest problems we face in life because WE ALL GET ANGRY!!!

I found it fitting that the Sunday before Thanksgiving the sermon was about “Angry Words.”  I guess God knows how desperately we need to hear His guidance on this topic.  Too bad we don’t always listen to the Man Above!!

Nonetheless, how do we deal with this overwhelming emotion that takes hold of our minds, bodies and souls and twists us blindly into a frenzy when we are steaming mad?!?!?!

Many would probably say take a deep breath, count to ten or walk away.

I’m going to suggest we work on our anger issues BEFORE we come face to face with a volatile and explosive situation.

Anger doesn’t say as much about the circumstances we find ourselves in as it does about the condition of our hearts.

When our hearts are set on God…there is no room for angry words.

• God IS LOVE.
• God is mercy
• God is grace.
• God is forgiving.
• God is the master of second chances.

Do we really want God to deal with us as we deal with others?  I sure don’t!!!

Anger is a slippery slope.  Many can argue about righteous anger being okay and I’m sure it is if you are a Godly person.  But, I would dare say most of us are found lacking in this department.

I can honestly say that when I get mad, it usually has WAY more to do with ME than it does anything else.  I’m hurt. I’m upset.  I’m the one with the problem.  GRRRRR….

Soooooo…the next time angry words start to come up and out:  We need to ask ourselves if we would want God to deal with us the way we are about to deal with the other person.  Would we want someone saying our angry words back to us?

When in doubt…we should probably use some spiritual duct tape and keep our mouth shut.

Some Wisdom for Today:  Proverbs 29:22 – A man of wrath stirs up strife, and one given to anger causes much transgression.