Begin with 2 minutes of stillness and silence before God.

Let’s be real; being angry feels good sometimes. There, I said it, and I give you permission to admit that to yourself today. But, let me ask you this: Is your anger and bitterness worth the sin that might come from it?

It can be so easy to give someone the silent treatment or make a snide remark because of something they did or didn’t do to you. I am the first to admit that my flesh immediately wants to shut down and shut out anyone who has done something to upset me or hurt me. The reality is that this just simply does not lead to forgiveness, reconciliation, or peace.

When we read Ephesians 4:26, it’s hard to not think of all the times we have chosen to remain angry and allowed the devil to influence how we treat others. I don’t know about you, but the longer I do life alongside other people, the more I realize that some hurts can’t be addressed or worked through before our heads hit the pillow. If we read Psalm 4:4, it says, “Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own heart on your beds and be silent.” Sometimes, what we must first do is stop, have a heart check, allow the Lord to search us in the quiet, and then bring our hurt to someone’s attention.

There are times when our emotions can lead us to have conversations we are not prepared for or say things that we don’t really mean. How many times have you said things from a place of anger or bitterness that didn’t glorify the Lord and maybe even damaged a relationship? I know that I have. If what you are feeling about someone might lead you to gossip and say hurtful or even untrue things, it’s better to not say anything at all! We’ve always heard the phrase, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, then don’t say anything at all.” How about this: If it doesn’t build up, then shut up! Verse 29 says, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” If what you are thinking or saying about someone isn’t something that will build them up or bring about peace, then it doesn’t need to come out of your mouth.

Verse 30 tells us that it grieves the Holy Spirit when we gossip and speak poorly of others, especially fellow believers. That’s a heavy reality that we need to allow ourselves to sit with. When we exalt our own opinion or feelings over Jesus, it grieves the Holy Spirit. It grieves Him because He knows the cost of choosing our sin. There is great sorrow in our sin. That is what He sees when we choose our anger instead of Jesus.

Friends, there is more power in kindness and forgiveness. I pray that we will extend the grace we will one day require.

Take 2 minutes to reflect in silence.

Reflection:

• How do you treat someone when you are angry or bitter towards them?
• Why do you think it is so hard for us to let go of our anger?
• Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, help me to deal with any anger I might be carrying. Teach me how to let go of the desire to make someone feel the way I am feeling. I pray that you will replace my anger with your peace. Replace my bitterness and pride with your love and humility. In Jesus’ name, amen.