ANGER IS MOMENTARY INSANITY!

Tuesday, March 24, 2020

ANGER IS MOMENTARY INSANITY!

Eph 4:26-27

26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

27 Neither give place to the devil.

           It was Horace who said “anger is momentary insanity.” When Cain rose up to slay his brother Abel, his anger had dissolved the tender family relationship that each shared. All the commonality that resided between them was gone in a flash of hot frustration.

           Yet, the head is not always connected to the heart even when the head knows that is so. Unwanted emotions are hard to drive away. Anger is the most persistent of unwelcome guests. When I argue with myself, one of me will lose and neither wishes it.

           Verse 27 warns us that anger “gives place to” or grants an opening to the devil. From there the enemy swarms in. Do not allow the day to end without resolving conflicts because the rising sun will bring them with the dawn.

           We are experiencing a unique form of bondage. While most of us feel healthy, we are circumspect and fearful. We have lost liberties taken for granted. The smallest of comforts, now abandoned, become insufferable. Uninvited anger invades our calm and robs us of our peace.

"Anyone can become angry," wrote Aristotle. "But to be angry with the right person, to the right degree, at the right time, for the right purpose, and in the right way - this is not easy. "

Prov 4:23-26

23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

24 Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.

25 Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.

26 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.

Dear Lord, I confess my anger. It is unwanted and unspecified. It hurts the most loved by me and does not benefit me at all. My peace has fled away and is replaced by rage. Come, Holy Spirit, and refresh my soul. AMEN