You really enjoy times when you can laugh and carry on a conversation that brings you happiness. From time-to-time you say things that you had rather not say. You put your foot in your mouth, as people in the South say. You engage your mouth before thinking about the words.
Those words make you feel foolish, but the really embarrassing words are those spoken when you are angry. Angry words are cutting remarks that dig deep into another person’s soul. Your angry words hurt other people deeply and hurt you, also. Speaking of anger, Henry Ward Beeker makes this profound observation: “Speak when you are angry and you’ll make the best speech you’ll ever regret.” It is wise to say as little as possible when you are angry.
Scripture tells you that anger is not only a bad character trait, it is sin. “But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth.” Anger is mentioned here among several other cutting words of speech. This is letting you know that anger should be dwelt with and removed from your life.
How can you control your anger? One help is to deal with it, when it first starts escalating in your life. Don’t wait to try to deal with anger, when anger is at its peak. As you feel yourself getting angry start praying and asking God to give you patience to overcome your anger. One thing is for sure, when you get angry keep your mouth shut. Although, asking forgiveness is commendable, the words you say have already made an emotional wound in the other person.
To avoid saying words you regret, do two things. First, start praying and asking God for patience. Second, when anger is high, keep your mouth shut. Replacing anger with patience, takes time. With prayer God can make it happen!
