daily prayer

    Good morning! How are we faithing?  I've been listening to an "anger" series of study in the Word and it is amazing to me the wisdom found in simple statements the Word provides. I see some people I know who are wallowing in anger. I am not criticizing, just observing. How we deal with angry people is an art form. Physical self defense aside, it's tough to see past the anger and see the person behind it when that anger permeates their persona. Some are so beat down they are lashing out while others are so self centered they'll never release the anger as long as they keep looking inward. While some one is raving and carrying on we need to learn to listen to the words and read the cause rather than the spewage of obscenities and uncharitable rhetoric. Of course there are also times that we stand up and stop the flow of anger. Temper tantrums, though we may want to smack the snot out of people who throw them, it may be wiser to let them vent and then address the issue. Then again, we can walk away till they cool off. Justifiable anger need not be wrought with obscenities and name calling for that begets ire in return and soon both parties are angry over a seemly solvable issue that gets lost because tempers have taken over and from the casual observer, both are wrong. Alot of anger is self protectionism. Some justifiable, some not. Jesus was angry but reacted sanely and with forthought. Flying off the handle because your feelings are hurt or you dissagree with someone or something serves no one. Someone is getting beat up or robbed, you see it and your anger flares resulting in an intervention is justified but anger flaring over someone doing right but it interferes with your agenda is not justified. Anger that causes you to lash out with disregard for anyone but you is not justified. Look at these verses and do a little self analyzing. Are you an angry person? Why? Are you always apologizing for impropper comments or behavior? Why? Do you hurt others with that anger? Have you been ticked for so long you don't know if you are an angry person or not? ATime to find out don't you think?

Proverbs 17:1

Better is a dry morsel and quietness with it
Than a house full of feasting with strife.
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Proverbs 29:22
An angry man stirs up strife,
And a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression.
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Proverbs 18:19
A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city,
And contentions are like the bars of a castle.
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Proverbs 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath,
But a harsh word stirs up anger.
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Proverbs 10:12
Hatred stirs up strife,
But love covers all transgressions.
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Proverbs 15:18
A hot-tempered man stirs up strife,
But the slow to anger pacifies contention.
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Proverbs 29:22
An angry man stirs up strife,
And a hot-tempered man abounds in transgression.
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James 3:5-6
And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell.
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Hebrews 12:14-17
Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled; that there be no immoral or godless person like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal.
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Heavenly Father,
   Thank you for the wisdom in your Word that sustains our being. Lord forgive us when we sin in anger. We beseech you to teach us to act according to your Word in every situation. Teach us to to see into those who are angry so we may minister to them. We ask for your touch on all situations we encounter so we act Godly and not cause ire or pain, in Jesus name, amen