ANGER ANTIDOTE 

There are different situations occurring in the thoughts and around every individual or group that can trigger either positive or negative emotional response or demeanor. Emotions such as love, hatred and disappointment may last for years but anger, happiness and praise may last for few minutes depending on surrounding circumstances. This week I would like us to walk through the antidote needed to deal with one of the temporal end result of negative emotional response; ANGER!

Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath. Ephesians 4:26

Get angry, but don’t sin

God in His word permits us to get angry; because looking at the world around us, it is probably impossible to live without someone stepping on your toes, or you stepping on the toes of others. Petty grievances about our family members, friends, colleagues at work and brethren at church may cause us to express anger; but the word of God although saying “It’s ok my child, I know you are dust.(Psalm 103:14)’, prescribes an antidote for dismissing the long-term effect your anger can have on your life and that of others if not controlled.

The negative effect of anger that brings about sin starts with whining and complaining. When you are unhappy about something, it is not the time to go through in your mind, what was said and what shouldn’t have been said. Instead it is the best opportunity to practice silence. The Bible says ‘even a fool, when he holds his peace, is counted as wise. (Prov.17:28). Whining and complaining never solves any problem, rather it aggravate it. You may end up slapping, hitting, or insulting someone with words that cuts through the heart and soul. Anger can only be sustained when thoughts of the incident is revisited over and over again due to its temporal nature. So instead of whining and complaining to cause its growth, try as much as you can to keep calm and silent about unpleasant situations this week.   ‘Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath’. James 1: 19.

Let not the sun go down on your wrath

There are times when we actually lose our temper and act in ways that leads to regret and affect our relationship with those we truly love and care about. If you are in such a situation, and you feel sorry for something you shouldn’t have said or done, don’t worry about it. That sorry heart is all that is required for forgiveness from our father in heaven through Jesus our Lord. But here are few things you can do to mend your relationships after an angry incidence.

Forgive and Apologize

If you are too shy to do this, you can send a text, call whatsup, email or use any appropriate means available. You may be faultless but just try and find one thing you didn’t do right and state that clearly in your apology to the person. The amazing thing about this is that, you will usually find the person also apologizing for where they went wrong if yours was done in all humility. E.g. Do not send a message like this “I know you were wrong but I’ve forgiven you…” or any other message that caries similar attitude as this. Recently, I was working on a project with someone who was always speaking with an angry tone. We were all under pressure to make things work and so I understood it. However at some point, the person used that same tone to lay causeless blames on me when every single thing I was doing during that period was towards the success of the project. So I lost my temper and spoke back at him. Afterwards I felt the Holy Spirit prompting me to make amends. If nothing at all, for the fact that he is older than me. I did exactly that, and amazingly the person who seemed bored with me confessed his own weakness to me. That is the power of forgiveness and Apology. I have done this countless times because I realize that through forgiveness, I will also be forgiven and in the end treasured relationships will be preserved.

What is the right time to forgive and apologize?

After an angry incidence, do not wait for a long time before you decide to speak to the person involved. Some people are of the view that, when time is allowed, all tension will cool down and then you can approach the person; but this is only based on human wisdom not biblical. When you get involved in an accident, do you wait for three or even two days before treating your wounds? The same reason you cannot wait. The Bible says, ‘do not let the sun go down’.  That means, do not let the day break while you are still angry at someone. Thus today, if you have been holding grudges with someone for months or even years, take the opportunity to make a call, send a mail or a text of apology. It might not feel pleasant but the freedom and healing it will bring to your heart and mind is worth it!

Ask the Holy Spirit for Help

There are times when we know we have to forgive and actually willing to but we are not able to do it. In such cases, you will need to ask the Holy Spirit for Help. The Holy Spirit is a very wonderful gift God gave to those who have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Saviour to help in emotional situations and issues beyond us. If you have the Holy Spirit, you can experience perfect PEACE, JOY, HOPE and LOVE etc. even when you are under abuse, hurt, anger or verbal attacks of any kind. Those who have this presence are able to control their emotional response to situations either after or before. You can receive the presence of the Holy Spirit by simply asking genuinely through prayer.

If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? Luke 11:13

Quote of the week:

Every relationship counts, either for the saving of a soul or the betterment of a destiny; don’t let anger destroy it

Baaba Mirekuah

HELPFUL SCRIPTURES FOR ANGER ANTIDOTE

ü  Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; Mathew 5:23a

ü  But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth Colosians 3: 8

ü  Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. Col 3:21

ü  For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. Mathew 7:2

ü  But I say unto you, that whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. Mathew 5:22a

ü  Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment. John 7:24