Overcoming Anger
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. – Ephesians 6:10-11 NKJV.
Coping with anger and with mean people can be extremely difficult. Brenda wrote this about the difficult situation she is in: “I am working so hard. My stomach hurts all the time, blood pressure up. Getting health problems. I am upset, very late, cannot sleep. Some times go to work with as little as 2 to 3 hours sleep.” (Please pray for Brenda in Alabama.) If you have never experienced anything like this, you can praise God for many of us have. There are many mean people in this world who enjoy making life miserable for others.
What do you do when you are in the pressure cooker, and you have angry thoughts rolling through your mind? Here are some suggestions:
Saturation of your life with the Word of God is vital!! This cannot be stressed too much. When under stress you need to stress the Word of God. (Matthew 4:4 – “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.”)
His Word will give you strength to continue to go to the job you have to have. (Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.”) And Christ is what according to John 1:14? “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us….”
His Word will take away the angry thoughts. (Luke 6:45)
His Word will give you self-control in volatile situations with your boss and others. (Galatians 5:22-23 “temperance/self-control” is one of the fruits of the Spirit.) Remember: the Sword of the Spirit is the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17).
His Word will keep you from self-destructing physically. (Proverbs 3:1-2, 8: “My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands; for length of days and long life and peace they will add to you. It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones.”)
As a pastor I can leave off the Word, and time with the Lord, and quickly find I am overwhelmed with stress and physical problems. The more stress, the more I must have supernatural strength to withstand and overcome it. Strength will only come through the Lord, His Word, and prayer.
You need to begin to memorize God’s Word and then when the angry thoughts come you can begin to recite in your mind those verses and they will defeat the enemy.