HAVE YOU BEEN STRUGGLING WITH ANGER AND RESENTMENT?

SCRIPTURE:
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the 
day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and 
slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one 
another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
(Ephesians 4:30-32)

MEDITATION:
A righteous life has no room for lingering anger, 
whether in the form of rage, or resentment. 
When we allow fury to harden in our hearts, 
it creates a stronghold for Satan.

The fleshly method for “curing” wrath is 
to either let it out (rage), or suppress it (resentment). 
Neither is effective for solving problems, 
or making an angry person feel better. 
God’s way of dealing with this dangerous emotion, 
is to dissolve it, and set the believer free.
 
The Scriptures remind us we are to 
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and 
slander, along with every form of malice”
But in order to do this, we are required to recognize it’s there.

Whether we are annoyed at ourselves, another person, or God, 
we have to own that feeling. 
Pretending that the emotion doesn’t exist, 
or that we’ve somehow risen above anger, is useless. 
If you’re angry, admit it and then identify the source.
 
Knowing who or what ignited the initial fury 
can prevent people from misdirecting irritation onto the innocent.
And that’s what happens isn’t it?
When we are filled with anger or resentment, 
we even lash out at those who had nothing to do with the cause.

ACTION:
Are you harboring anger or resentment?
Have you identified the reason or reasons?
Here are some questions to help in identifying a source of anger:
• Why am I angry?
• At whom am I angry?
• What caused me to feel/act this way?
• Where or when did this feeling start?
• How long have I been angry?

Once you know the source of your anger, it’s time to forgive, no matter what. 
Fury, resentment and unforgiveness often go together, 
and united they create a heavy baggage that will drag you down. 
God calls us to set them aside 
and take up love, compassion and kindness instead. 
Forsaking anger means walking away from it, 
changing your focus from the cause,
and refocus on the Lord and your relationship with Him.

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me. Teach me to love others in 
the same manner. Help me to be honest and admit it, if I have anger or 
resentment toward someone, including You. Forgive me for harboring an 
unrighteous attitude and help me to replace it with the fruits of the 
Spirit, including love, compassion and kindness. Make me aware of any 
collateral damage my anger and resentment has caused to others, and 
especially those who have remained at my side and tried to encourage me. 
Teach me to show my appreciation for them, rather than allowing myself 
to be infected with anger and resentment toward those who have hurt me.”