"Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice." -Ephesians 4:31
Anger is a strong emotion that requires a lot of energy. It can be extremely overwhelming and can lead to behaviors that might not otherwise happen. It usually leads to feelings of lowered self-esteem, incompetence, and being “Stuck.” For many women, anger is not an acceptable emotion. Whereas depression is often used as a cover to mask anger, a substitute for anger, or an escape from anger. Very often, depression is a way of covering up uncomfortable or unacceptable feelings. Depression may also include feelings of grief about something that is happening in our life, a loss of something important to us, or a feeling of failure somewhere in our lives. Depression has been called “Anger turned inwards,” and may actually be anger that we are directing against ourselves instead of what we are really angry about. As we begin to examine what triggers our anger, it involves getting down to the root of our bitterness. By working with the Holy Spirit, he will help us identify personal events and cues that indicate an escalation of anger. When we get angry, it is because we have encountered an event that has provoked our anger. Many times, specific events touch on those sensitive areas. These red flags usually refer to long-standing issues that can easily lead to anger. And when anger is not confronted properly, it turns into bitterness, resentment and eventually retaliation in order for people to feel justification. When situations keep repeating in our lives it’s because they haven’t been fully resolved and perhaps you did but the conflict with the other person still lies dormant within them.
Today as you examine your life and seek God for the answers I pray you too will say, “Lord, teach me to hold my peace, help me lean on you for wisdom and understanding as I know you will vindicate justice in my life.”
Dear Friends,
The day began like any other day, but ends like no other, for on this day, he gives full vent to his anger and, as a result, Moses finds himself running for his life. He is part of a mistreated minority, grievously persecuted, not for doing something wrong, but for being perceived as a threat. Raised with privilege in the palace of a King, he had been spared the heartless treatment inflicted on his kinsmen. Yet, watching the injustice day by day and year after year it finally became too overwhelming for him to bear. When he sees one of his own people suffering an inhumane beating at the hands of an Egyptian, Moses is filled with rage. He snaps, in an instant, he kills the Egyptian and hides the body in the sand. But his angry, impetuous act is not committed in secret. When the news of the murder reaches Pharaoh, Moses fears for his life and flees.
Exodus 2:11-15
"And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out unto his brethren, and looked on their burdens: and he spied an Egyptian smiting an Hebrew, one of his brethren. And he looked this way and that way, and when he saw that there was no man, he slew the Egyptian, and hid him in the sand. And when he went out the second day, behold, two men of the Hebrews strove together: and he said to him that did the wrong, Wherefore smitest thou thy fellow? And he said, Who made thee a prince and a judge over us? intendest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian? And Moses feared, and said, Surely this thing is known. Now when Pharaoh heard this thing, he sought to slay Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh, and dwelt in the land of Midian: and he sat down by a well."
As we look at the life of Moses, you can vividly see both the power and the problems inherent in anger. Has anger ever clouded your judgment to the point that you reacted rashly? Ultimately, you have the choice to act wisely or to react foolishly. In his lifetime, Moses did both. Like him, you too can face the fiery anger within and learn to keep it under control. In doing so, you will demonstrate wisdom and the fruit of the spirit of self-control.
Proverbs 29:11
"A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control."
Injustice ignites anger and understandably, Moses felt anger over the unjust treatment of his Hebrew brothers, but what he did with that anger is what caused all the trouble. Moses allowed his anger to overpower him. Acting on impulse, he committed murder. Although he was right about the injustice, he was wrong in his response and course of reaction. His hot blooded volatility revealed how unprepared he was for the task God had planned for him. Consequently, God kept Moses on the back side of the desert for the next 40 years. God wanted Moses to realize that rescuing his own people in his own way would ultimately fail as we are called to love people. We must relinquish that control and let God change people and not us. We might have the best intentions but we must all learn to let go and let God. Even when it comes to some of you parents. You have to exercise enough faith in God that he will get a hold of that son or daughter. You love them and let God bring that change from within as we do not have the power to change anyone including ourselves. The Holy Spirit will work with each one of us from issue to issue until the day God calls us home. Life is a series of lessons and in God’s school you never fail but repeat a lesson until you pass it. Moses needed to learn this vital lesson in order to become the leader through whom God would accomplish His own will, in His own supernatural way. In truth, Moses had tried to earn the Israelites’ respect by coming to their rescue. Instead, his murderous rage earned only their disrespect. Who hasn’t lit a candle and become entranced by the flickering flame? As it dances on the wick, it is a delight to see, but dangerous to touch. No one would dare put a finger into the tiniest of blazes.
Anger is much like the flame of a candle, it’s associated with heat of varying degrees. Temperatures are determined by the hues of the flame, but no matter the blues, yellows, oranges and reds we all know that it’s hot, and if we hold on to it, we will get burned! And so it is with anger, the higher the degree of heat, the more people get hurt, including yourself.
Proverbs 6:27
"Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?"
● Anger- Is a strong emotion of irritation or agitation that occurs when a need or expectation is not met.
Proverbs 29:22
"An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot tempered one commits many sins."
● Angry People- In the Bible are often described as hot-tempered and quick-tempered.
Proverbs 15:18
"A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel. In the New Testament, the Greek word orge originally meant any “Natural impulse or desire,” but later came to signify “Anger as the strongest of all passions.” It is often translated as “Wrath” because of its powerful, lasting nature."
● Rage Blazing Anger- Resulting in loss of self-control, often to the extreme of violence and temporary insanity. After an outburst of rage, a cry of remorseful regret or disbelief is often expressed. Yet, those who continue to vent their rage toward others, including toward God, find themselves defeated by their own destructive decisions and ruined relationships.
Proverbs 19:3
"A man’s own folly ruins his life, yet his heart rages against the LORD. Periodically, everyone feels the heat of anger, but how you handle the heat determines whether or not you are misusing it. Anger is designed to let us know when something is wrong and unsettling in our spirit. We are to give no place to Satan lest he take advantage and get a foothold over us."
● Prolonged Anger- The “Simmering Stew” is held in for a long time. This anger is a result of an unforgiving heart toward a past offense and the offender. When you yield to this type of anger, unforgiveness left unresolved eventually results in resentment and bitterness, ultimately scalding close relationships.
We make inner vows saying, I’ll never forgive them for what they did to me. Inner vows are unhealthy and are more damaging than good.
Hebrews 12:15
"Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled. When you go looking for the bad in people expecting to find it, you surely will. Jesus tells us to look for the best and to show love as he knew the human nature of all mankind."
Regardless if people are unkind, you be kind anyway as hurt people hurt others through their own insecurities and shortcomings. In the end it’s really between God and you as It was never between you and them. He wanted to see if you would keep his commandments or not. God will often test us, to reveal the hidden things in our hearts because we don’t know what we think we know until we are put to the test and he’s right by doing so.
● Pressed-Down Anger- The pressure cooker is denied or hidden anger. Usually developing from a fear of facing negative emotions, the kind of anger can create a deceitful heart and lead to untruthfulness with others. Failure to honestly confront and resolve angry feelings can result in self-pity, self-contempt, and self-doubt, ultimately searing close relationships.
I Peter 3:10-11
"For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and pursue it."
● Provoked Anger- The short fuse is quick and impatient, instantly irritated or incensed. A testy temper is often expressed using criticism or sarcasm under the guise of teasing, ultimately burning close relationships.
● Profuse Anger- The volatile volcano is powerful, destructive, hard to control. This way of releasing anger is characterized by contempt, violence, abuse toward others, ultimately cremating close relationships.
● Abusers- Commonly spew out their anger on those closest to them as they are most vulnerable to them.
● Self Injurious- People generally carry a sizable amount of self-contempt and self-loathing. As children, many were falsely blamed for family problems and assigned the role of the family scapegoat. They internalized the lies spoken to them, and now as adults they are quick to assume blame for all that goes wrong around them. The anger
they could rightly feel toward others, they wrongly aim back at themselves.
● Self Protectors- Don’t have the strength of character to express their anger toward the people causing their anger. They express anger in detrimental, subversive ways.
It is with misplaced anger that engulfs an innocent person rather than being positive, it produces only pain. In the case of King Saul, his misplaced anger toward David resulted in the murder of 85 priest of God.
I Samuel 22:13-18
"And Saul said unto him, Why have ye conspired against me, thou and the son of Jesse, in that thou hast given him bread, and a sword, and hast enquired of God for him, that he should rise against me, to lie in wait, as at this day? Then Ahimelech answered the king, and said, And who is so faithful among all thy servants as David, which is the king's son in law, and goeth at thy bidding, and is honourable in thine house? Did I then begin to enquire of God for him? be it far from me: let not the king impute any thing unto his servant, nor to all the house of my father: for thy servant knew nothing of all this, less or more. And the king said, Thou shalt surely die, Ahimelech, thou, and all thy father's house. And the king said unto the footmen that stood about him, Turn, and slay the priests of the Lord: because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled, and did not shew it to me. But the servants of the king would not put forth their hand to fall upon the priests of the Lord. And the king said to Doeg, Turn thou, and fall upon the priests. And Doeg the Edomite turned, and he fell upon the priests, and slew on that day fourscore and five persons that did wear a linen ephod."
● Anger And Sin- Is it a sin for me to be angry? The answer is no. The initial feeling of anger is a God-given emotion. The way you express your anger determines whether or not it becomes sin.
Ephesians 4:26-27
"Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil."
● Anger And Guilt- How can I keep from feeling guilty when I’m angry? Your anger is a signal, like the red warning light on the dashboard of a car indicating something’s wrong, something’s wrong, something’s wrong! And the purpose of the light is to propel you to action, to cause you to stop, evaluate what is wrong, then take appropriate action. Jesus himself became angry at the hypocritical religious leaders who took an extreme position regarding resting on the sabbath even teaching that healing the sick on the sabbath was an offense worthy of the death penalty. In sharp contrast, Jesus intentionally and fully restored a man’s crippled hand on the sabbath.
Mark 3:5
"And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other."
● Anger And God’s Nature- How can a God of love be a God of wrath? Since some people don’t understand how a loving God can possess the attribute of “Wrath,” let’s look at those characteristics on a personal level. Because of God’s love for you, He directs His anger toward anyone or anything that prevents His perfect Will for you.
God’s anger never operates independently of His love, but rather He expresses anger on your behalf and for your ultimate good.
Zechariah 2:8
"For thus saith the Lord of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye."
I Chronicles 16:22
"Saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm."
● Angry People Not Appearing Angry- Can people be angry even when they don’t look or sound angry? Absolutely! Many people have difficulty expressing or even recognizing their emotions of anger. Instead, they have learned to deny, ignore and repress their anger by burying it deep within their hearts. However, our anger is not hidden from God as he sees in the dark as well as he does in the light!
Hebrews 4:12
"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."
I Chronicles 28:9
"And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever."
● Hurt Ignites Anger- Betrayal by an enemy certainly hurts our feelings, but betrayal by a friend deeply wounds the soul. Everyone expects opposition from those on the outside but what happens when opposition comes from within, among family, your closest confidants and those in whom you place good trust and esteem highly.
Psalm 41:9
"Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me."
Proverbs 18:19
"A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle."
● Symptoms of Unresolved Anger- A volcanic crater contains toxic gases, a steaming underbelly, and razor-sharp rock fragments. Deep within the heart of unresolved anger, the darkened deposits of a critical spirit produces depression, anger, bitterness and resentment just to name a few demonic forces.
When volcanologists excavate and analyze material inside a crater, they work as quickly and efficiently as possible, being aware that the longer they stay, the higher the risk of injury or even death. And so it is with unresolved anger. The longer it’s allowed to fume and fester, the more dangerous and even deadly it can be for you and those around you. Prolonged anger fans the flame of bitterness and fuels unforgiveness. Refusing to face your feelings in a healthy way only prolongs unresolved anger until it eventually becomes harbored anger.
Unresolved anger not only creates a rift between you and God, but also damages your body, destroys your emotions, and demoralizes your relationships. Whether you recognize it or not, extended anger can cause significant physical, emotional, and spiritual problems.
Matthew 5:22
"But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire."
Unresolved anger is known to produce in many individuals some of the following physical, emotional, and spiritual symptoms:
● Physical Symptoms- Blurred vision, Headaches, Heart disease, High blood pressure, Insomnia, Intestinal disorders, Stomach disorders and Overeating.
● Emotional Symptoms- Anxiety, Bitterness, Compulsions, Depression, Fear, Insecurity, Phobias and Worry.
● Spiritual Symptoms- Loss of Confidence: Feeling insecure about your relationship with God and your ability to respond wisely to difficulties.
Loss of Energy: Lacking strength for your service to God and others.
Loss of Faith: Failing to believe God is working in your life.
Loss of Freedom: Becoming a prisoner of your emotions and unable to serve God freely.
Loss of Identity: Becoming like the person towards whom you’re bitter against rather than becoming like Christ.
Loss of Perspective: Allowing your emotions to distort your thinking.
Loss of Sensitivity: Failing to hear the Spirit of God speaking to your heart.
Loss of Vision: Losing a sense of God’s purpose for your life.
The reason Satan’s strongholds are so powerful is because they become entrenched, and firmly established inside our lives. This happens when Satan can deceive you and get you to embrace his lie that your situation is hopeless. His goal is to get you to believe that nothing will ever change and therefore controls you by fear and shame. Once you adopt yourself into this way of thinking your behavior starts to deteriorate as we act accordingly to what we believe. And who we are is a result of what we’ve allowed ourselves to become. The only solution is to tear down these fortresses by taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.
II Corinthians 10:3-5
"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds. Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ."
In similar ways, the hidden anger from childhood hurts can directly affect present-day outbursts. Many people live life unaware that they have hidden anger, suppressed anger that only comes up occasionally and surfaces. While hidden anger is usually rooted in past childhood hurts, the underlying effects are always ready to surface and can sizzle up an already simmering scenario. For example, when someone says or does something “Wrong,” the one with suppressed anger often overreacts. When someone makes an innocent mistake, the magnitude of anger is out of proportion to the mistake. If you have hidden anger, you can find yourself at one extreme or another, from feeling hopeless to feeling hostile, and yet be totally unaware of why you are experiencing these feelings. The Bible makes it clear that some of our motives and emotions are hidden from our own view.
Psalm 19:12
"Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults."
● Anger and Irrational Thinking- Why do some angry people become irrational in their thinking? When people are angry, their problem solving ability plummets.
Satan tries to steal our Mind, Will, Emotion and thinking power. He will never stop trying to upset us and make us angry but when we can control our emotions and bring them under subjection he will no longer have that power over us. So, it’s important not to yield to offense and become angry as it’s a trap of the enemy. Take heed as Satan’s tri-fold agenda is to steal, kill and destroy.
King Saul provides a great example of irrational thinking in his anger toward his son Jonathan.
I Samuel 20:30-31
"Then Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto him, Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman, do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own confusion, and unto the confusion of thy mother's nakedness? For as long as the son of Jesse liveth upon the ground, thou shalt not be established, nor thy kingdom. Wherefore now send and fetch him unto me, for he shall surely die."
Colossians 3:8
"But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth."
Proverbs 2:3-6
"Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. Appropriate action express your thoughts and feelings with restraint, understanding, and concern for the other person’s welfare."
Proverbs 17:27
"He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit."
Inappropriate reactions express your thoughts and feelings in such a way that stirs up anger in others and produces strife. The Biblical book of Wisdom, paints this vivid picture.
Proverbs 30:33
"Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife."
● Anger and Forgiveness- I was severely wronged by someone I trusted but I can't ignore my anger and let them get away? When you forgive someone you only have to do it once and it’s over. But if you choose to hate you have to do that all day long, everyday for the rest of your life. (Everything Jesus tells us to do is for our benefit)
Luke 17:1-4
"Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.
And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him."
Romans 12:17-21
"Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good."
The Lord wants to teach you about "The law of release" as you relinquish it into
His hands the wrong that has been done to you. We can forgive without trusting them as forgiveness is given and trust is earned. Jesus tells us to be that fruit inspector as you will know people by their fruit. Extending forgiveness is based on a choice to be obedient to God and to release your anger to Him. Extending trust is based on another’s person’s trustworthiness. Forgive everyone, but trust only the trustworthy. The Lord
knows how to deal justly and effectively with those who deliberately bring pain inside your life. You never look good trying to bring someone else down. We don’t submit to retaliation as people may get by for a time and season but nobody ever gets away. God is the all seeing eye who watches everything we do and nobody can pull a fast one over on Him.
Romans 12:19
"Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord."
John 8:32
"And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
● Forgiveness Prayer- Lord Jesus, Thank You for caring about how much my heart has been hurt. You know the pain I have felt and right now I release all my pain into your hands. Thank You, Jesus, for dying on the cross for me and extending Your forgiveness to me. As an act of my Will, I choose to forgive. I refuse all thoughts of revenge and I trust that in Your time and in Your way You will deal with my offender as You see fit. And Lord, Thank You for giving me Your power to forgive so that I can be set free. I seal this prayer under the blood of Christ and call it done in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.
In His Grip,
Pastor Wendy Schenkel
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