Verse of the Day - Proverbs 22:24-25

Keep away from angry, short-tempered people, or you will learn to be like them and endanger your soul. ~ Proverbs 22:24-25 (NLT)

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I just spent an hour working on this VOTD today (in e-mail), and then I hit "backspace" one too many times, and lost everything! Talk about anger! Sheesh... why didn't I "save as a draft"...

But perhaps God didn't need me to expound on His word today. And I'm out of time now, so I'll leave you with a few other verses I'd referenced and some random thoughts...

Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character."~ 1 Corinthians 15:33 (NIV)

Like strawberries or bread that gets moldy, anger is contagious and will infect others.

But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. ~ Psalm 86:15

Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. ~ Ephesians 5:1-2

If we are God's children, we need to take note of God's ways and how He deals with issues, and imitate Him.

My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. ~ James 1:19-20 (NIV)

Tempo seems to be the key. Quick to listen. Slow to speak. Slow to become angry. James indicates that we have control over how we react. We need to practice a godly response to people and situations, so that anger doesn't take root, like a nasty weed, populating the whole garden with unwanted junk.

Anger is a control issue -- we want to be in control, and things just don't always go our way. It can be used as a manipulative tool to get what we want -- temper tantrums often work to our advantage, even in adults. But it backfires...in our health, in our relationships. Infectious diseases can kill if left untreated, and anger is no exception. Question: Who's in control...? Us, or God?

I pray that we can relinquish control to God in our circumstances, and not allow ourselves to succumb to anger. It's just a bad apple waiting to spoil the whole bunch!

Love,
Joelene