Ephesians 4:26(KJV)
Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
Apostle Paul advises on how to avoid sin when we feel angry. He suggests that we should not let our anger simmer overnight. It’s better to deal with our irritation as soon as it arises. Anger is a strong emotion that can quickly spiral out of control, leading us down a path of wrongdoing. Uncontrolled anger can cause significant harm in a short period, leading to sinful behavior. It is not wrong to be angry; we may have a right, but not allowed to let sin get a foothold in our anger. Psalm 37:8 says, “Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.” We must let go of anger and forsake wrath, for it only leads to harm and evil. Anger is a strong feeling of annoyance, displeasure, or hostility and can be very destructive. Anger is a weapon of destruction in the hands of the enemy. It opens the door for the devil to fill our hearts with bitterness and dangerous characters. It is written in Job 5:2 “For wrath killeth the foolish man, and envy slayeth the silly one.” Anger leads to stress, depression, and other mental health problems. It causes lasting scars in the people we love most and makes it hard for others to trust us.
Anger is dangerous because it can destroy a lifetime of achievement within seconds. It is a destiny killer, and if there is any doubt, ask Moses. Moses spoke to God face to face(Exodus 33:11) and was the only man who had done that. He led the children of Israel out of bondage in Egypt, and through him, the Egyptian army was destroyed in the Red Sea(Exodus 14:27-28). God used him to perform many great miracles, and he was on the way to leading the children of Israel to the promised land, but anger ended his mission within seconds(Numbers 20:10-12). Anger is so destructive that it can rob one of entering the Kingdom of God(Galatians 5:20-21). As children of God, we should not let the devil deprive us of our destinies through uncontrolled anger. Many people regret their current status due to yielding their lives to the influence of anger. Many have destroyed life and property. Many have lost good friends, some have cursed their children, and some have lost their freedom because of anger. It is written in Ecclesiastes 7:9, “Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.” Solomon reminds us that anger lies in the bosom of fools. Therefore, we must not be so quick to get angry.
Beloved, it is essential not to hold onto anger for too long. Set a time limit for resolving any conflicts to avoid bitterness. Never let anger dominate your life, for it will also dictate how far you go in life. I wonder how many promised lands you missed because you could not control your anger. Always maintain your emotions because anger has made many say or do things they would not usually say or do. As soon as wrath lands in your hands, throw it away. Don’t nurse your anger. Don’t brood over it. Don’t hold a grudge. Don’t let anger take you in a direction that will lead to regrets. Don’t let anyone recruit you into getting angry with someone. Refuse to be influenced by those who are angry with people you like. Learn to exercise patience before you speak or act. Be respectful of the other person, and don’t intentionally make others angry for your benefit. When faced with a problem, turn to God for help speaking the truth with love and forgiveness. Trust in His power to overcome anger and bring peace to the situation. Work on resolving the issue instead of focusing on what made you angry. Forgive everyone who has made you angry. You shall not destroy the good things you have built because of anger in Jesus’ Name. Remember, anger doesn’t solve anything or make anything; it only destroys everything.
O Lord, help me not to be angry but to be able to exercise restraint in the face of provocation in Jesus’ Name.