Fresh Manna
by Pastor Tim Burt
A while back, I was asked to meet with a man who had blown up his marriage and was hoping to fix it. After sitting down and talking with him, I learned that he had blown up his life numerous times because he had never dealt with anger issues in his life. What people like this eventually learn, is that if you have them and don’t get help and change them, you will continuously alienate people and blow up your life over and over, all your life!
If you’ve ever watched someone who is really angry—maybe it was you or maybe someone else—think about what they looked like. The color of their face changed. Their eyes widened—maybe even bulged. Their eyes squinted, face tightened, and maybe their hands clenched or at least became highly animated. The tone of their voice altered as they spoke louder. Someone who is really angry can become pretty scary.
Anger is a force. It’s usually a negative force. That is why Psalm 37:8 (NIV) instructs “Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret–it leads only to evil.” And, Proverbs 27:4 (KJV) says, “Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous…” Unbridled anger almost always leads to great regret! God wants to protect us from it. Proverbs 19:11 (NLT) declares, “Sensible people control their temper; they earn respect by overlooking wrongs.”
You’ve probably noticed that anger produces instant energy! It feels like your blood is flowing through you like a raging spring river after a winter’s melt. You don’t want to use that anger or energy wrongly. You don’t want to use it in a way that hurts others and creates a negative reputation for you. Times of anger will come. There are things that happen that make us angry. When those times come, quit taking it out on your wife, your children, and those around you. That will cost you more than you can afford and it will teach others this bad behavior.
Proverbs 22:24-25 (NLT) confirms this. “Keep away from angry, short-tempered people, or you will learn to be like them and endanger your soul.” In those times, harness the power of the anger and use it against the enemy of your soul that is trying to hurt you by ruining your behavior and reputation. Ephesians 6:12 (NIV) pronounces loudly, “For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms.” This is saying that people aren’t your problem; demonic influences stirring up people to create these painful situations are—so use your anger against them not people.
How do you do that? God instructs how through Ephesians 6:13-18 (NLT). First it says, “Use every piece of God’s armor to resist the enemy in the time of evil, so that after the battle you will still be standing firm.” These means you have to pause to discern what is going on. Say, “No devil, I will not get sucked into this situation. I am a child of God and I refuse to take my anger out on anyone but you.”
Verse 14 says, “Stand your ground, putting on the sturdy belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.” Verse 15 says, “For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News, so that you will be fully prepared.” You are a peacemaker and have the patience and wisdom of God. You can stop to reflect and pull on God for how to defuse the situation you are in, and pray in faith over it. That can actually happen in a moment’s time.
Verse 16 says, “In every battle you will need faith as your shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan.” The devil always tries to make every situation a sudden crisis and hopeless situation. It’s not so calm down and stir up your faith in God! Finally, verse 17-18 says, “Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers…” Have faith in God’s promises and pray them over your situation!
When you remember God’s righteousness, you remember who you are in Christ. You are not a carnal “let it all fly” person. You have control through the Holy Spirit living in you.
As a believer, you have the power of the Holy Spirit within you! Lean on the Holy Spirit and use that surge of energy or power that instantly comes during moments of anger and use it in a way that helps you and defeats those demonic influences trying to hurt or steal from you. Love people. Hate the devil. Use power in the right way. Anger will be defeated in your life and you will be a warrior rooted in patience and self-control.
Proverbs 16:32 (NLT) “It is better to be patient than powerful; it is better to have self-control than to conquer a city.”
In His Love,
Pastor Tim Burt
