Use God's Word to Deal with Anger

When the children of Israel clamoured for water on the wilderness a second time, God told Moses to speak to the rock and water would pour forth. But because Moses was angry at the stubbornness of the people, he struck the rock (against God's instruction), not once but twice! Although water came out, God wasn't pleased. And then He said to Moses, “You'll not take the children of Israel into the Promised Land.” Moses was “fired” (read Numbers 20:8-12) and it was all because of anger. This was the meekest man on the face of the earth according to the Bible (Numbers 12:3). When he yielded to anger, however, it cost him his ministry.

Ephesians 4:26 says, “Be angry, and do not sin: do not let the sun go down on your wrath.” Not letting the sun go down on your wrath means if you're angry with something, you deal with it right away, that same day. The Good News Bible version says, “If you become angry, do not let your anger lead you into sin, and do not stay angry all day” (GNB). Never found yourself still angry about the same thing for a long period. It's only a fool who allows fury to linger in his heart (Ecclesiastes 7:9); but you're not a fool.

One of the fine qualities of God's Word is its “practicability.” When you put Ephesians 4:26 to work, you'll see the result. Understand that people would offend you one way or another, but never let anger make you do something you'll regret. Rather, stay calm and let God's Word take charge and bring out the best in you.