Title: Slow to Anger, Quick to Hear/Topic: Anger Management

Today’s Reading: Genesis 27; Genesis 28; Psalm 4; Luke 11

Scripture: Psalm 4:4
4 In your anger do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent. Selah

Observation/ Application:It is so easy to sin when we are angry. This verse contains God's directions for ager management. God does not say that anger is necessarily wrong. He simply instructs us not to sin when we are angry. How do we do that? I must first use anger as a signal that I need to search my own heart. What is the reason for my anger? Is my anger righteous because God's law is being violated in a way that others are being hurt or abused? Or am I mad simply because my dignity was assaulted, my feelings hurt, or wants ignored? I must search my heart and silently meditate, seeking God's revelation and will in the matter. Usually there will be something I can find to fix in myself. Following this way, I will be most unlikely to do or say something that I will later regret. I will have time to evaluate the situation with the help of the Holy Spirit, who can also direct me in the best way to handle it.

Prayer: Father, this is such wise instruction and I have followed it so rarely in my life. It is so easy to let words fly immediately when I am angered or offended. Help me to appropriate your instructions and to benefit in my character as a result. May I be an example to others of how to handle offenses. Remind me to keep my lip zipped and my heart open to you.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.