Daily Companion  |  30 April

BE ANGRY BUT...

 “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath (Ephesians 4:26)  

 A boy was known to be angry very often and the parents decided to help him. He was offered a paint brush and art paper. He was told anytime he was angry he should start painting instead of fighting. Soon his anger paintings became masterpiece that turned him to a millionaire. Redirecting anger energy to something productive is an important tool in anger management.

Anger is not a sin but an healthy and necessary emotions in humans. But like any other things, extreme anger could be destructive. There is always a line not to be crossed in anger: it is the line of sin. It is okay to feel frustrated or disappointed in life. For example, being treated unfairly, feeling threatened or attacked, being interrupted when you are trying to achieve a goal, or having stressful day such as paying bills or rush hour traffic. It is interesting to however know that anger helps us to survive, motivates, leads to self-improvement and ultimately expands emotional intelligence. Those who expressed their anger in a controlled manner are more resilient and survive difficult situatons more than those who do not. It is howerver golden and of great virtue to be slow to anger. “He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding” (Proverb 14:29). However, repressing anger and pretending, when you are internally hurt, is unheathy, depressing, and could breed hatred, hypocrisy and lies which are sinful. That is why God’s word says, “go ahead, be angry, but do not sin.”

Beloved, when angry be slow about it. Meditate within your heart on your bed, and be still (Psalm 4:4). Do not rush to be angry. Take a step away. Like the little boy transfer the anger energy to something creative. Don’t bottle up the anger for too long, “for anger rests in the bosom of fools” (Ecclesiastes 7:9). “Do not let the sun go down on your wrath” (Ephesians 4:26). Clear your heart of anger before it dusks. When offended, rather than be angry destructively show mercy and forgiveness like God with “longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9).

Today’s Recite: The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. (Galatians 5:22, 23).

Today’s Morning Prayers:  O Lord, I thank you for a new day of grace. Grant me Your grace to be slow to anger and control my anger when offended. Grant me the bowel of mercy like You. Give me deeper understanding about things that offend in Jesus name. Amen!

Today’s Hymn: PEACE BE STILL 

Today’s ReadMe:  1 Chronicles 22 - 24