Overcoming Anger Pt.4

4.)  Let it Go

On the last post we looked at this verse:

Ephesians 4:26 – “In your anger do not sin“: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry

I stated that it is not necessarily wrong to get angry.  But the problem is when we:

a.)   Stay angry for too long…

b.)   Get angry and act a fool!

Let’s look at Point A this time.  This part is what is usually a challenge for me.  Even after I recognize the schemes of the enemy, realized that anger does not equal power, and abstain from reacting, I still refuse to just let the situation go.  But this step is SO IMPORTANT!  Because if I go through all these steps but still hold on to the anger, then the whole cycle will just start over again.  God says not to let the sun go down while you are still angry.  So we can either try to keep the sun from setting Joshua-style, or learn how to let go of that anger. 

Why Let It Go?

1. Fools hold on to anger. – Ecclesiastes 7:9 – “Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools.”  Foolish people allow anger to rest and reside with them.  Let it go!
2. Anger can be a “gateway” emotion. – Have you ever been really anger at someone.  Then your anger turns to rage.  In your rage you start thinking of ways to get that person back or teach them a lesson.  When you are around other people, you talk bad about that person.  What I just described was anger, rage, malice, and slander.  Colossians 3:8- “But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.”
3. Hinders forgiveness. – If you are still mad at someone, have you truly forgiven them?  Is that how God forgives us?

How to let it go?

1. Forgive them. – Colossians 3:13 – “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.   Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”  I’m so glad that God doesn’t stay mad at us  for a week when we mess up.  We confess, He forgives, and we move on.  You will never release anger against someone that you haven’t forgiven.  Without forgiveness you may calm down for a moment, but when you see that person again, the anger will be right back.
2. Tell God about it. – In the past, I was notorious for holding on to things and not praying about them.  I guess I thought that I had to fix it.  That’s silly because %90 of the time, we can’t change the situations that we are mad about.  1 Peter 5:7 – “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”  We need to realize that God cares for us and what we are troubled about.  When we pray about what’s bothering us, then we will experience peace (Philip 4:6-7).
3. Check your thoughts. – I’ve got a pretty active imagination…which is good, but sometimes it can also get me into trouble.  Especially when I ponder over things that I’m supposed to be over.  So I prayed and forgave “so and so” but I keep rethinking about what they did.  Eventually, I’m angry all over again.  What I should have done was bring those thoughts into captivity (2 Cor 10:5).  You may need to remind yourself (and your thoughts) that you have let that situation go.
4. Walk in Love. – Life is so much simpler when we learn to just love people.  Loving each other is not an option, but a mandate from God.  Do you love the person that you are still mad at?  And I don’t mean that worldly love that’s based solely on emotions…I mean God’s love.  Because God’s kind of (agape) love “keeps no record of wrong   (1 Cor 13:4-5).”  If you are still angry, it’s a sign that you are keeping a record of the wrong that someone did.  Where’s the love?  Where’s the love that God commands we have for each other?  Because that love “covers over a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8).”  We need  to have enough love for people to disregard their offenses against us.

I want to share something that I learned pretty recently.  Do you really want to show someone the love of Christ?  Do this:  Next time someone makes you angry, get over it quickly…no matter what they did.  Pray for that person.  And don’t mean casually mentioning them during prayer time, but fervently and passionately going to God on their behalf.  Next time you see that person, be kind.  Go totally out of your way to be nice..  They may not return the kindness…they may ignore you.  If that happens, you’re on the right track.  Be even nicer.  Bless them.  Open the door for them.  Tell them that you like their shoes.  This may be hard for you but hang in there!

As you do these things, God will work on the heart of the other person.  Eventually,  that potential enemy may become a friend.  I’ve seen this  happen so many times.

I know that all of this may sound difficult, but we have to do it.  You see, anger has a way of making everything seem like it’s about US…Like the whole world revolves around our little situation.  But it is NOT all about us.  It’s all about Him.  And when people (especially unbelievers) wrong us and we are able to let it go and love them anyway…God gets some major glory from that.

What Others are Reading: