Stored Anger...

(this is part of our series on anger)

How can we encourage others if we are keeping note of everything that they've done to annoy us? Anger that is stored up hinders our relationships with others and with GOD.   It makes it really hard for us to worship Him and seek justice in the world.

There is a beautiful verse in Romans which says Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (12:21). In Genesis 4 we read of the first murder in the Bible, Cain took his brother Abel out because sin was crouching at his door and, although GOD warned him, he allowed the anger in his heart to master him. If we want to become encouragers for Christ, then we need to check this out big time!

I believe there are three ways in which we can store anger - let's take a look...

Nursing a grudge

Mark 6:19 tells us that Herod’s wife, Herodius nursed a grudge against John the Baptist after he had spoken out against their unlawful marriage, since she had been Herod’s brother’s wife. She nursed this grudge against John until the right opportunity came for her to exact her revenge. She kept the fire of frustration and irritation burning inside her by nursing a grudge, keeping it alive and waiting to use it for her advantage.

Bearing a Grudge

In Lev 19 we find that the Lord commands us not to seek revenge or bear a grudge but to love our neighbours as ourselves. It seems silly when talking about it frankly but to bear a grudge literally means to lift up or hold our anger in plain view. Such a waste of time and energy to carry something around with us that will only make us and everyone around us unhappy and discouraged! We bear these pots of anger above our heads and all who sip from it are poisoned by its ugliness.

Harbouring Anger

God will not always accuse, nor will He harbour His anger forever – so says Ps 103. When we harbour anger we are saying; "Come here Mr Anger, come park off in my backyard, I'll keep you here as long as you want!" When we give anger a harbour in our lives, we are giving Satan a foothold in all the decision that we make, righteous anger will flow through us, unrighteous anger hangs around to see what destruction it can cause!

If you want to store up something, consider love instead of anger. Love is one of those cool things that the more you have, the more you give away! Loving people are always generous!