Managing MADNESS

Anger is a reality within every human soul. Everyone becomes angry at some time about something or someone else’s actions. Anger manifests itself in a variety of ways, ranging from mild annoyance to murderous violence.

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Often anger causes us to say harsh, cruel, even hateful things to others. By the time we realize the mental and emotional anguish our words have caused the damage has been done. Physical wounds usually heal themselves with time, but emotional wounds can linger for years if not acknowledged and healed.

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How then do we manage anger in a godly manner? We usually attempt to deny we are even upset by what we perceive as some wrong word or mistreatment. When denial fails, we attempt to justify our anger. In truth, neither denial nor justification of anger meets the requirements of God’s Word. As James 1:20 tells us, “The wrath (anger) of man works not the righteousness of God.”

Yet anger is a legitimate, God-given emotion which, when channeled appropriately, can provide energy and inspiration for positive change. For a few moments, allow me to share with you some of the spiritual weapons God as promised to help us fight the urge to sin when we become angry:

Meditation Upon God. The Lord has promised in Isaiah 26:3, “I will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed upon Me; because he trusteth in Me.” Looking to God and remembering that He is always in control equips us to handle the temporary circumstances that would provoke us to say or do something we might later regret.

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A Slow Response. Ecclesiastes 7:9 tells us, “Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry.” By thinking before we speak, we can respond positively rather than react negatively to the source of our agitation.

A Gentle Reply. In Proverbs 15:1, we find “A soft answer turns away wrath.” By maintaining a calm tone in our voice and speaking respectfully and wisely, we can diffuse a potentially explosive situation. Remember, it takes two to fight.
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A Forgiving Spirit. Our Lord Jesus demonstrated this principle in His prayer from Calvary’s cross: “Father, forgive them; they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). Rather than become judgmental and see the other person as an enemy and yourself as the wrongfully injured party, consider that both you and they are the beneficiaries of God’s mercies and therefore have no legal right to retaliate.

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The Golden Rule. We have been commanded to do unto others as we would have them do unto us (Matthew 7:12). No doubt each and every one of us would like for others to always treat us nicely whether we deserve such treatment or not. What better way to curb our anger and glorify God than by demonstrating good to the ones who seem to deserve it least?

A Positive Outlook. Nehemiah 8:3 declares, “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” By maintaining a generally optimistic attitude toward yourself and your life, you will be better prepared for the times when you encounter someone else’s negativity. Don’t live life harboring resentment and self-pity, which build a nest for angry emotions to rest in. Remember, “Anger rests in the bosom of fools” (Ecclesiastes 7:9).

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Prayer, Praise and Thanksgiving. The apostle Paul exhorted the saints in Philippians 4:6-7 to “be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus”. By keeping prayers in our hearts and praises upon our lips, we can avoid saying things that stir up anger.

In conclusion, may we always remember that James 1:8 told us to be doers of the Word and not hearers only, deceiving ourselves. In other words, the only way to manager our anger effectively is by putting these principles from scripture into our daily lives through practice. May God bless and keep us as we do so.