“Stupid people express their anger openly, but sensible people are patient and hold it back.” Proverbs 29:11
A problem with Anger
Recently, by the grace of God, my faith has been strengthened and I have grown closer to Jesus Christ. I started trying to live by the Gospel values but I really struggled to control my anger, especially when my parents and sister were around.
One day, I had a heated argument with my sister (which I knew was really my fault) and this led me to be rude and swear at her. On the same night, I happened to listen to the Word of God that had been preached at a Sehion UK convention and I realised that God knew what I had done “God knows your hearts.” (Luke 16:15) It also quoted James 1:26: “Does anyone think he is religious? If he does not control his tongue, his religion is worthless and he deceives himself.” It felt like this Bible passage was a dagger piercing my heart. I knew that the Lord was speaking to me and that I had to do something about my anger. My mind was very restless and I knew I had to apologise to my sister, but I was very hesitant. Eventually I did go and say sorry to her and gave her a hug and a kiss. When I did this it felt like a big rock within me had been broken into pieces and I felt a new sense of peace.
A Struggle to Apologise
Another time after I bought a new car, I wanted to drive alone at night but my father wouldn’t let me and he said that he would go with me. I was boiling with anger, threw the car keys at him, got out of the car and stormed to my bedroom. Afterwards I was filled with guilt and wanted to apologise but I just couldn’t. But I knew that if I didn’t say sorry for my actions, no matter what I tried to do to please God, I felt that he wouldn’t listen to my prayers. So while my dad was sleeping that night, I approached him, jumped onto his bed and hugged him. Afterwards I felt so peaceful. “Man’s anger does not achieve God’s righteous purpose.” (James 1:20)
Ask for More Self-Control
So, remember that your tongue can be used to uplift a person and it can also be used as a weapon to destroy someone. James 3:6 says, “The tongue is like a fire,” and in James 3:9: “We use it to give thanks to our Lord and Father and also to curse our fellow-man.” Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to give us more self-control (Galatians 5:22) for the Glory of God.
Written by Justine Thomas