ANGER AND FORGIVENESS
Growing up, I was well-versed in the concept of anger and its repercussions. My petite 5’2” and 90-pound mother possessed a turbulent temper, which my father affectionately referred to as her “Spanish temper.” Regrettably, I inherited her strong-willed nature, leading to numerous volatile moments during my adolescence. More often than not, I would endure her outbursts, knowing that retaliating would only escalate the situation.
Proverbs 15:5
Only a fool despises a parents discipline, whoever learns from correction is wise.
Now, nearly four decades after her passing, I have gained a deeper understanding of her upbringing and the immense pain and suffering she endured due to her abandonment at the tender age of four. She was left in an orphanage, along with two older sisters and a brother, which would have undoubtedly fueled my own anger.
Anger manifests in various forms. Some individuals suppress their anger, allowing it to fester and grow. Others actively exacerbate conflicts, not just expressing anger but also frustration. These individuals are susceptible to the negative impact of their emotions. Their anger is evident in their physical reactions, such as reddened faces, bulging veins, and imagined steam emanating from their ears. Conversely, there are those who cannot contain their anger and express it freely. They open their mouths without inhibition, venting their frustrations until they have exhausted all their energy.
Do you identify with any of these categories? Do you recognize the anger within you, anticipate its arrival, or feel its escalation? If so, then you need to take action to prevent it from manifesting. Slow your thoughts, step back from the situation, and take a deep breath. Reflect on the underlying reasons for your anger, and try to identify its root cause.
Psalms 37:8
Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose you temper, it only leads to harm.
Ephesians 4:26
Don’t sin by letting anger control you, Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.
Now, think about what will happen if you blow your gasket and let out all that anger. Who are you going to hurt with your words? What are the consequences of letting all that go? Is it really going to make you feel better? Is it going to solve the issue? The only way to solve you issues to to give them to God.
Romans 8:28
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and called according to his purpose for them.
Don’t let anger control you and more importantly don’t let it ruin your life. You have to learn to accept the things in life that anger you and be patient because God has a plan for you. He’ll show you when he knows you are ready for it.
More often than not, our anger stems from something beyond a situation or circumstance; it’s another person. This could be someone we work with, someone we know, someone we don’t know, or even someone we love. In these cases, we must learn to forgive them. I understand this can be difficult, as I’ve been there myself. It’s particularly challenging to forgive someone who is unaware of their need for forgiveness. You know, that person who is always right, regardless of how wrong they may be. It takes a greater sense of maturity to walk away from an argument rather than seeking the last word.
Forgiveness is a challenging concept for individuals with strong wills to embrace. Why is this? Because we tend to stand our ground, valuing our independence and refusing to be easily swayed. We are the kind of people you want to go into battle with because we are fierce fighters who will persevere until the very end. However, offering forgiveness to someone who has wronged or hurt us is like lowering our defenses, making ourselves vulnerable and susceptible to further harm. It’s like worrying that they will strike with their final blow when we are defenseless. And how do we find the strength to forgive someone who has repeatedly hurt us?
James 1:19-21
Understand this my brothers and sister: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.
Colossians 3:13
Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others
Proverbs 15:5
Only a fool despises a parents discipline, whoever learns from correction is wise.
Now, nearly four decades after her passing, I have gained a deeper understanding of her upbringing and the immense pain and suffering she endured due to her abandonment at the tender age of four. She was left in an orphanage, along with two older sisters and a brother, which would have undoubtedly fueled my own anger.
Anger manifests in various forms. Some individuals suppress their anger, allowing it to fester and grow. Others actively exacerbate conflicts, not just expressing anger but also frustration. These individuals are susceptible to the negative impact of their emotions. Their anger is evident in their physical reactions, such as reddened faces, bulging veins, and imagined steam emanating from their ears. Conversely, there are those who cannot contain their anger and express it freely. They open their mouths without inhibition, venting their frustrations until they have exhausted all their energy.
Do you identify with any of these categories? Do you recognize the anger within you, anticipate its arrival, or feel its escalation? If so, then you need to take action to prevent it from manifesting. Slow your thoughts, step back from the situation, and take a deep breath. Reflect on the underlying reasons for your anger, and try to identify its root cause.
Psalms 37:8
Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose you temper, it only leads to harm.
Ephesians 4:26
Don’t sin by letting anger control you, Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.
Now, think about what will happen if you blow your gasket and let out all that anger. Who are you going to hurt with your words? What are the consequences of letting all that go? Is it really going to make you feel better? Is it going to solve the issue? The only way to solve you issues to to give them to God.
Romans 8:28
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and called according to his purpose for them.
Don’t let anger control you and more importantly don’t let it ruin your life. You have to learn to accept the things in life that anger you and be patient because God has a plan for you. He’ll show you when he knows you are ready for it.
More often than not, our anger stems from something beyond a situation or circumstance; it’s another person. This could be someone we work with, someone we know, someone we don’t know, or even someone we love. In these cases, we must learn to forgive them. I understand this can be difficult, as I’ve been there myself. It’s particularly challenging to forgive someone who is unaware of their need for forgiveness. You know, that person who is always right, regardless of how wrong they may be. It takes a greater sense of maturity to walk away from an argument rather than seeking the last word.
Forgiveness is a challenging concept for individuals with strong wills to embrace. Why is this? Because we tend to stand our ground, valuing our independence and refusing to be easily swayed. We are the kind of people you want to go into battle with because we are fierce fighters who will persevere until the very end. However, offering forgiveness to someone who has wronged or hurt us is like lowering our defenses, making ourselves vulnerable and susceptible to further harm. It’s like worrying that they will strike with their final blow when we are defenseless. And how do we find the strength to forgive someone who has repeatedly hurt us?
James 1:19-21
Understand this my brothers and sister: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.
Colossians 3:13
Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others
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