When struggling with Anger
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As there is a good jealousy and a bad jealousy so there is a good anger and a bad anger. Good anger is grief at what is happening to others; bad anger is a grudge at what is happening to us.

Why we get angry at all? Resolving conflicts in life requires understanding the anatomy of anger. For many people, anger is the most common response when conflict occurs. Here are some of the reasons why we show anger: May be, because,
a).our rights have been violated, b).our needs have not been met, or c).we have been hurt. For some people, it's safer to show anger than to acknowledge hurt.
Anger can be a powerful weapon-it can control and direct your life; it can change your disposition and countenance (Genesis 4:6,7).
So Anger must be mastered or controlled. Uncontrolled anger can result in:
1. Bitterness that leads to resentment-hatred develops; relationships will become bitter, 2. Depression-you can come under its load and it presses hard against your mind,
3.Conflict with God-you'll begin to doubt and question God; can't enjoy fellowship with God.

Unrighteous anger comes about largely from someone or something blocking our goal. Every action we undertake is an attempt to reach a goal that deep down makes good sense to us. When a goal is blocked, depending on how important the goal seems to us, the consequent emotion will be either a feeling of frustration or blazing anger. It is harmful to deny we are angry; we should always acknowledge it, and then focus on what is causing the anger. Find out if the underlying cause is that a goal we believe we must get to in order to feel inwardly satisfied or fulfilled has been blocked.

The way to avoid incapacitating anger is to see that the obstruction of a goal makes no difference to our spiritual security( in Christ). And we must know, also, the difference between a desire and a demand. When we simply desire something and it is blocked, we are only mildly frustrated. When we demand something and it is blocked, we become deeply frustrated. Those whose confidence is in Christ, rather than in the good feelings that come from the achievement of goals, find anger to be no longer an unmanageable issue.

"Father, help me understand the difference between a desire and a demand, for I see it is a watershed issue. May I be so secure in You that the blocking of my goals is a minor rather than a major issue. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen."

Scriptures on which to reflect:

1.Real life is not in temporal things but in God- so look up!: Colossians 3: 2-4.
2.There is a goal that can never be blocked-is it your goal?: 2Corinthians 5: 9.
3.Live always to please Him (the Lord): Ephesians 5:8-10.
4.Paul's goals were godly goals-what about yours?: Philippians 3: 13-14.
5.You're a fool if you get angry: Ecclesiastes 7: 9.
6.Anger and righteousness are incompatible: James 1: 19-20.
7.Deal with anger the same day as it arises: Ephesians 4: 26-27.

"Let everyone be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger. James 1:19b."
***************************Letter #29 (5.8.2000)*****************************