We respond to anger in numerous ways. I need not list them for we are well aware of as recipient and/or practitioner of from detached objective calm to peeve to extreme. So let’s just skip cataloging and go directly to that which is most important: Dealing with anger in healthy way pleasing to our Lord, for by anger we are too often distracted and hindered here and are and shall be judged. The following is a pocket list to be carried and reviewed as needed. [inserts mine] EBB4
“A wise [man or]
woman builds [his] her home, but a foolish [man or] woman tears it down with
[his] her own hands. Those who follow the right path fear the Lord; those who
take the wrong path despise him. . . .
The prudent carefully consider their steps. The wise are cautious[a] and
avoid danger; fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence. Short-tempered
people do foolish things, and schemers are hated. Simpletons are clothed with
foolishness, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.” NLT Proverbs 14:1-2,
14-18
--
“A gentle answer
deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare. The tongue of the wise
makes knowledge appealing, but the mouth of a fool belches out foolishness. The
Lord is watching everywhere,
keeping his eye on both the evil and the good. Gentle
words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.” NLT Proverbs
15:1-4
--
“And so, dear
brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of
all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he
will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the
behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person
by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you,
which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Because of the
privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning:
Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of
yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. . . .
Never pay back
evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are
honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Dear friends,
never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the
Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord.
[Deut.32:35]
Instead, “If your
enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to
drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on
their heads.”[Pr.25:22]
Don’t let evil
conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.” NLT Romans 12:1-3, 17-21
--
“Understand this,
my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak,
and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness [or the
justice] God desires. So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and
humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to
save your souls.
But don’t just
listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling
yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing
at your face in a mirror. You see
yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully
into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t
forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.
If you claim to
be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your
religion is worthless.” NLT James 1:19-26
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