Thursday, July 15, 2021
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Ephesians 4:17-32
Of all the emotions, anger is probably the most devasting to both our own lives, and those around us. There are two reasons anger is so devastating. One is because we may act out of anger and be left with some serious consequences. The second reason anger is so devasting is because we try to hold it in and not deal with it, and we end up in a debilitating downward spiral.
The Downward Spiral of Anger:
Bitterness – reflects a smoldering resentment. – Bitterness can take root when we harbor angry or ill feelings about people. We ruminate over what they have done to us and will not let it go. It definitely hurts us – and others in our lives – more than it hurts the one who has offended us. It can take over our whole life like cancer can take over a body.
Wrath – is like rage. It is anger completely out of control and poured out on those around us in the passion of the moment.
Anger – internal smoldering. Wrath is what we feel on the inside, but anger is what we show on the outside.
Clamor - reflects the outburst that reveals loss of control. Shouting or yelling. From the emotional side of our brain.
Slander – the ongoing defamation of someone that rises from a bitter heart. Talking about the person that has hurt us, saying harsh and critical things. We may find ourselves saying things we wished we had not said. A good rule for controlling slander is to not use the word “you” when speaking in anger.
Malice - wishing to invoke harm on others. It is physical. When angry words are not bringing the desired impact, some may turn to violence, which is the absolute worst place anger can go.
Anger can quickly turn us into someone that we are not. It is like a wildfire when it is unchecked. Dealing with anger in your own heart is difficult. Living with an angry person is miserable. Anger can destroy our homes before we even know what has happened. As humans, we cannot help feeling angry at times. It is what we do with it that affects our life adversely if we make the wrong choice. The side effects of anger – bitterness, wrath, clamor, slander, and malice – are deadly. It is so important that we immediately give it to God and ask for the help of the Holy Spirit to lead us through our actions and words. He might not take away our angry feelings, but He will help us deal with them in a way we are not equipped to do on our own.
