Friday, September 9, 2016       

       There are many methods people are advised to employ when it pertains to controlling, even suppressing, one’s anger. One lady found one which really worked for her any time she got into a heated argument with her husband. He was often amazed that she could walk away at such times without saying a word and disappear for a while, so one day he told her: “I hate to admit it but I am very impressed that you have found a way to overcome your anger. What do you do when you disappear?” She replied, “I go to the bathroom and clean the toilet seat.” He then said “You’re usually gone for about an hour. Why does it take that long to clean the toilet seat?” She replied “Because I clean it with your toothbrush.”

       I suppose some of you have tried different methods to manage your anger, perhaps you even found one that works for you. One noted pastor confessed that what worked for him was counting to ten. He then clarified that he would try to recall at least ten occasions when the Lord had mercy on him and forgave him. You know, God has many reasons to be angry, even remain angry with us, but He doesn’t. David wrote: “For His anger lasts only a moment, but His favor lasts a lifetime.” (Psalm 30:5) He also wrote: “As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him; for He knows how we are formed, He remembers that we are dust.” (Psalm 103:14-15)

       Every time I read these last two verses, I think to myself “Oh that I could be like God!” Wouldn’t that be great, that we would remember this truth the next time we are angry or in a quarrel with someone? If we could remember that we too have caused others to be angry with us, and if we could remember how we are, and if we could remember that because of it, God has compassion on us, I believe it will help us dramatically the next time we let some thing or somebody make us angry. Whatever method you discover to help you overcome your anger, you can rest assured that God definitely had something to do with it. Our secret is God Himself. Do you know Him?

God’s promise for today: (Proverbs 16:32 -  NET New English Translation) “Better to be slow to anger than to be a mighty warrior, and one who controls his temper is better than one who captures a city.”