Anger

Charles F. Stanley’s comment on anger

Proverbs 14:10 “The heart knows its own bitterness, and the stranger does not share its joy.”

How can I deal with the anger or bitterness of another?

The unfortunate fact is, sooner or later, all of us will run into someone who feels angry or bitter toward us. What should you do when you find yourself the object of another’s bitterness? How should you respond to someone’s red-hot anger aimed straight at you? Responding to bitterness with more bitterness leads only to a combative and even explosive situation. So what should you do?

First, tell yourself the truth about the situation. What happened? How did the situation unfold? Are you really at fault? It may be that you can’t entirely reconstruct the event in question, but try your best to honestly recall what lead to the outburst.

Second, listen carefully to what the bitter person is saying. Bitterness and anger are usually the offshoots of deep hurt. Say something like, “It seems that you are really upset. Can we talk about it?”
Even such a simple question may help to defuse the situation... And even if it doesn’t you may not be able to turn the bitterness around in someone else’s life-you can stop it from taking root in your own heat by asking God to help you understand why this person feels the way he or she does.

Third, any time you come under personal attack, it is very important to recall God’s personal love for you. You may have made mistakes, but that does not change the Lord’s feelings about you. Ask Him to encourage you through His Word.

Fourth, ask God o help you respond with His love and Grace, and to protect you from angry attacks. In Psalm 64, we read how one man prayed for God’s deliverance from the attacks of an embittered enemy. Bitterness is a simple expression of quick anger. It is a satanic stronghold and needs to be faced in an honest manner. God tells us to beware “lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled.
Hebrews 12:15 “See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.”

When you find yourself the target of a bitter accusation or a hateful personal attack, pray for God’s protection. Ask Him to give you wisdom in dealing with the other person, as well as a healthy perspective on the entire matter. Your reaction to the assault is the most important issue with God.

Therefore, be firm but loving in what you do and say.

Fight all your battles on your knees and you will win every time.

Prayer is life’s greatest time saver.