Why Are We So Mad At Each Other?

"Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil."(Psalm 37:8) "For the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God." (James 1:20) 

In the spring of 1894, the Baltimore Orioles came to Boston to play a routine baseball game. But what happened that day was anything but routine. The Orioles’ John McGraw got into a fight with the Boston third baseman. Within minutes all the players from both teams had joined in the brawl. The warfare quickly spread to the grandstands. Among the fans the conflict went from bad to worse. Someone set fire to the stands and the entire ballpark burned to the ground. Not only that, but the fire spread to 107 other Boston buildings as well.(Ministry 127-Anger) 

What happened at this baseball game 127 years, is happening today on a regular basis. My question today is: Why are we so mad at each other? Just because we have different ideas, opinions, tastes, views, political platforms, religious practices, etc. - Why do we voice such hatred and hostility? And in some cases, afflict violence upon those who disagree with us? 

David in his Psalm (37:8) tells us to "refrain from anger" (in the NKJV - the word is "cease" from anger." David agrees with James, that anger sets a path to evil, it will not "produce the righteousness of God" 

Anger is a destructive emotion. And it is like a match that sets a forest on fire. It has caused destruction in marriages, families, communities, schools, government, and yes in churches. It has caused our nation to be very divided today. 

So what is the solution? Love is the solution! Love causes us to not be in a hurry to get angry. When we lay aside self, and concentrate on the needs, and feelings of others, it will help us to deal with irregular people, and stressful situations. "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." (Proverbs 15:1). 

The love of Jesus Christ, when shown on a regular basis, will help us to debate, and negotiate, in a very positive, concerned manner. Like the line in the song: "What the world needs now, is love, sweet love!" We need it today, more than ever! GP 

 Photo: Victoria_Borodinova/8569 images/Pixabay License/Free for commercial use/No attribution required/www.pixabay.com 

Anger Again

"So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God." (James 1:19-20) 

It happened again. I got angry again, over a trivial matter. Frustration set in, so I got angry again. And those around me, had to step away from me, to watch me explode. And then they became angry, because they could not calm me down.

 It has been three years, since I began my new relationship with the Lord. If I have a new relationship with Him, why is it, that I have an issue with anger? I know that part of the problem is  heredity. But the other part is still a faith problem.

The Lord is greater than all my problems. He is the solver of my problems, and the soother of my pain. There is nothing too big for Him. When things go wrong, and don't go my way, I need to remember to trust Him in the small things, as well as the big things.

James speaks to us about our anger. Should we never get angry? No, but we should be slow to anger. We shouldn't light a short fuse, every time something goes wrong. James says that man's wrath "does not produce the righteousness of God".

*I like what Wendy Alsup said in one of her posts (Wendy Alsup is the author of Practical Theology for Women, The Gospel-Centered Woman, and By His Wounds You Are Healed.)
"Anger submitted to God can morph into something God can use. But it must transform – perhaps into resolution, resolve, or conviction but always submitted to the constraints of Biblical language – before it can have any use in God’s kingdom." 

If  we will allow the Holy Spirit to have, all of us, than He will help us to be "slow to anger" and in so doing, produce the righteousness of God. instead of the selfishness of our heart.
In having our relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, be first and foremost, we will react, and respond to life's challenges, in the right way - His way!

Please pray for me, and all those who have an anger problem.
It is a challenge, but it is one that we can overcome! GP

* Theologyforwomen.org

 Photo: KERBSTONE/253 images/Pixabay Licence/Free for commercial use/No attribution required/www.pixabay.com

When The Volcano Erupts

"A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."             (Proverbs 15:1) 

When someone becomes angry with us, it is very easy to respond in kind. We have this immediate idea that our anger is going to solve the problem, when in reality it only makes things worse.

In our text, Solomon has a better response. Instead of heated emotion, and cutting words, Solomon suggests that a soft answer is the way to turn away wrath. A soft answer will draw out the heat, or the poison, from the conflict, and help process a proper perspective on the problem at hand.

James says in James 1:19-20 "So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God." 

Anger is like a volcano that erupts, and all of the heated lava pours out. It is better to respond to one who is very angry, in a spirit of patience, respect, and of course love. This will produce the righteousness of God. It will be the right response in conflict, in hopes of acquiring right results.

In a battle involving heated emotion and careless words, no one wins. May God help us in all times of conflict, to always consider the feelings and needs of others, instead of just ourselves. GP

Tungurahua Volcano eruption Photo ID 25125413 © Pablo Hidalgo | Dreamstime.com