The Best Way to Deal with Anger - Senior Living - April 2

The best way to deal with anger

Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools. - Ecclesiastes 7:9

The author Jim Taylor tells a story about his longtime friend, Ralph. One morning, Ralph woke up at 5:00 a.m. to a terrible thumping noise up on his roof. Still in his pajamas and groggy from just waking up, he walked out into the backyard to investigate.

As he gazed up high, he found a woodpecker on the TV antenna pounding its little brains out on the metal pole. Ralph was so angry that he picked up a rock and threw it at the little woodpecker. The rock sailed over the house and he heard a crash as it went through his car windshield on the other side of the house.

Even angrier, he reared his leg back to give a good kick to a rock on the ground, only to remember too late that he was still barefoot!

Anger is a very interesting animal. There are times that anger, when it’s controlled, can be good. Then there are those fits of uncontrolled anger that often have consequences that were never intended. That’s the kind of anger that should be avoided.

When you’re angry, learn to have self-control. Don’t allow impulsive behavior to rule your life. Instead, make good, sensible, Spirit-led choices on how to express your feelings. When you do, you’ll avoid negative consequences and live with much more joy!

Prayer Challenge

Pray that God would help express your anger at the right time and in the right way.

Questions for Thought

What are some examples of how you’ve expressed anger wrongly in the past?

How would it have looked for you to express your anger properly in those situations?

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Visit the Senior Living Ministries website