But, I'm So Stinkin' Mad!

Anger reveals itself in the small things. You know, it's that feeling that overtakes you when that crazy soccer mom takes your parking place when you know you are much more deserving of it. Or could be that snide remark that a co-worker makes as you walk past them in the aisle that you know you were not deserving of. Or maybe even that bill collector who calls and makes veiled threats about your bank account. Finally, when it comes time to spend the evening with your family, you are so wired from the day that you end up taking it out on those you are closest to and love the most, your spouse and children.

How can you overcome those feelings of irritation and anger? I know that many of you are saying, "What am I supposed to do, suppress it?" That's the personality that holds it in and just lets it percolate under the surface, never letting others see how they're really feeling. Others of you (those who have my personality) are saying, "No, there is a better way, I'll just express it, right?" Then along comes that irritating someone who gets on their last nerve and they explode like Mount Vesuvius.

So if those methods don't work (and they don't), what is the answer? The best way is to find out what the Grand Designer intended. That's why it benefits us to find out what He says about us so we can begin making a difference not only in our lives, but also in the lives of those we influence the most.

Here's what we can do:

1) Understand that God is developing character in you. Things like love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, godliness, faith, meekness, and self-control. Unfortunately, we all tend to be resistant to character development. So, God has to get our attention. That often takes the shape of difficult people and uncontrollable circumstances. 1 Peter 2:18-20 reminds us:

"For it brings favor if, because of conscience toward God, someone endures grief from suffering unjustly. For what credit is there if you endure when you sin and are beaten? But when you do good and suffer, if you endure, it brings favor with God" (HCSB). The suffering we endure always brings great benefits to our character if we allow it to work in us. As James 1:4 encourages us, "endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing" (HCSB). That is really the ultimate goal, maturity and being a complete human being.

2) Dedicate everything I am or ever will be to my Lord and God. As believers, we belong to God. Because of that, we are to dedicate our lives to Christ. You probably dedicated your life to Christ on a Wednesday night youth service or Sunday morning worship or maybe even at a camp or concert. We might have came forward and said, "Lord, I give myself to You. I surrender all to You. My life is your, do as you will." Did you really mean it? God took those words of dedication very seriously. He thought you meant it. Now, He is making you and forming you into that incredible vessel of honor that He wanted you to be from the beginning of time. That is what has been planning all along! That's why He purifies us with the heat of difficult people and circumstances. Listen to the words of 2 Timothy 2:21, "So if anyone purifies himself from these things, he will be a special instrument, set apart, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work" (HCSB).

Here's what we should all consider the next time that person jumps down our throat or steals our parking place or forces an issue: I belong to God. He loves me more than I could ever imagine. This problem I'm having is no where near as big as God, so He could change or stop it anytime He wanted to. Therefore, He wants the best for me and has a purpose for the problem or irritation in my life. If that is the case (and it is), then we need to thank God that He has not given up on us yet and is planning a great and wonderful life of character development for everyone of us who submit to His purifying fire. That is why the Holy Spirit could tell us what seems to be an outlandish command, "Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (HCSB).

Anger is one of those emotions that God gave us to help us to stand for the right things and defend ourselves when threatened, but was never intended to master us. When anger comes calling, we need not answer the door.

More to come next week.