Sweeten Your Anger with Compassion

You are jealous and argue with each other. This proves that you are not spiritual and that you are acting like the people of this world.

1 Corinthians 3:3 (CEV)

Do you recall the last time you felt angry? Was it just a few minutes ago, earlier today, or yesterday? It's a natural human emotion that we all experience. However, how we handle and express our anger can significantly impact our lives. One way to properly deal with anger is by recognizing that it often stems from our inflated sense of self-importance. Once we acknowledge this, we can manage our anger more effectively.

When someone endangers our children, we get angry, and rightly so. When an innocent man goes to prison for a crime he didn't commit, our ire should rise. This is righteous anger, displayed in Christ and our Heavenly Father. When you think of Oct. 7, 2023, and how Hamas attacked innocent children, cutting their heads off and ripping them out of their mother's womb, your righteous indignation should go through the roof. But did it? Perhaps you are more likely to be livid when you are cut off in traffic, snubbed by an acquaintance at the grocery store, or have your opinions ignored by your boss.

We are in a season of honest reflection. Now is the time to take your eyes off others and focus them on yourself. Is your anger rooted in your love for others, or is it only seen when your self-centered desires come under threat? What's behind your anger? Could it be jealousy, hatred, or a deep-seated longing for revenge? Please make no mistake about it: anger can kill you. It is best to kill it in ourselves with the help of the Holy Spirit so we can turn our evil anger into righteous anger. When we become angry at ourselves for our lack of compassion for others, we are on the way to seeing more clearly and experiencing light instead of darkness. Forgive others first and then you will see the value of being kind to yourself.