Back Again

I lost my way around this blog posting stuff for a few days, but I am back now!

My husband and I had an amazing weekend, sharing the stage at church with our pastor and a dear friend, talking about how to deal with Anger. You may be able to catch the video at www.cpcdanville.org, (click on the "sermons" tab and look at the January 14 sermon). We haven't looked at it yet ourselves...

Anger is a universal experience. It is not entirely wrong in itself. Getting angry is like developing a fever. It tells you something is wrong and you need to find out what it is. My husband quoted John Stott on the subject. He suggests that when anger wells up, we stop and ask, "Wait a minute. Wait a minute. What is this anger?" In other words, "Why am I angry?"

A fever is a useful experience if we trace it down to the cause and deal with it. Now if you are spiking this "anger fever" a LOT, like every day, maybe the cause is not entirely outside yourself. Maybe its time for a little soul-work. Time to pray and search your own heart.

A diagnostic question would be: Does my anger consistently separate me from other people ? Are my reasons for being angry more important to me than the people who are on the other side of it? If that is true, your anger may have progressed from a "fever" to a full-blown illness of the heart. It may be in danger of becoming contagious, hurting other people and killing relationships.

It is very difficult to conquer anger on our own. The best we can do on our own is mask it, try to contain it or pretend it doesn't exist. We can attend "anger management" classes and learn how to breathe, take a time out, walk away, etc., but do those solutions really root out anger? Like all people I have had to face the consequences of anger in my own life. Because I am a believer in Jesus and the Bible, I have found help there.

Before you dismiss this "pie in the sky" approach, let me say that I have had 48 years as a believer to test the solutions my faith offers. I have learned the power of surrender to the God who is greater than myself, confessing my own helplessness and asking to be changed. THAT has made all the difference in my life. I have been able to get rid of anger in the most aggravating circumstances and I have been able to avoid anger over little things....not because of who I am, but because of who my God is. I still get angry sometimes, but I know there is a way to deal with the "fever" before it becomes a full-blown disease of the heart.

Psalm 4:4, 5 & 8 says: "In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. Offer right sacrifices and trust in the Lord...I will lie down and sleep in peace for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety."

There are many names for anger: vengence, fury, road rage...what do you call yours? May we all take anger seriously and get to the source of it in our lives. Stop the "fever" before it becomes destructive.