Text: Job 12, 13-14

 13 With him is wisdom and strength, he hath counsel and understanding.   14 Behold, he breaketh down, and it cannot be built again:  he shutteth up a man, and there can be no opening. 

Tuesday, 6th February 2024

BREAKING THE SNARE OF ANGER

Text: Job 12, 13-14

Memory verse: Proverbs 16: 32 He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

How do we respond to anger in a healthy and biblical way? We will not be addressing the causes of anger. There are many causes, fear, hurt, impatience, self-righteousness, jealousy, injustice, insecurity, and much more. How do we work through the emotion of anger? How do we discern the underlying cause of anger and have a clear head to deal with the causes? Can you say that Job was angry? Angry with his so-called friends. Angry with God. But he did not sin. He handled his anger in a way that few of us do. Many Christians do not confront the people who have wronged them. We are either afraid that confrontation would destroy our Christian witness or break the relationship. But Jesus tells us to confront the one who has wronged us. Many times, we vent our anger on people who did not cause our anger. We vent our anger on people who are innocent or helpless to defend themselves. Because of impatience at something not done in the church or house. You complained and vented your anger on someone and stripped them of their privileges at the slightest irritation. A good lesson on how to deal with anger as demonstrated by Job. Job taught me to ask myself, “Who am I really angry at?” And “What is the appropriate demonstration of anger?” Job didn’t take out his anger on his wife. He took it out on those who caused his anger, and he did it to a degree that did not hurt them.

But Job didn’t stop there. He turned from people to God. People can only take so much of our anger. A little child is helpless against our anger. Your spouse can only take so much of your anger before lasting relational damage begins. And your boss or colleague can only take so much of your anger before anger shortens your career. God, on the other hand, can take our anger. He is big enough to understand our need to vent. There are many reasons why we need to turn from people to God when we are angry.

In Job 12 to 14, we could see that Job was in great pain. He was hurt, and that’s why he was angry. Yet, the person who is angry rarely can see the cause of his or her own anger. Turning to God, and asking God, “Why am I angry?” and waiting for an answer, will save your health, your relationship with your child, your marriage, and your job. When we turn to God, not only can we gain insight into the cause of our anger, but we can also gain peace, perspective, wisdom, repentance, and forgiveness. Our anger may be due to our desire to have something that God never intended us to have. He may be the one who is interfering with our desire. And we need to repent and receive forgiveness. When we cannot remove bitterness and resentment by ourselves, we need God’s help. We need to lay our hurt on Calvary, where Jesus died for our sins. Only there can we forgive others as Christ forgave us.

CGDS HYMN 46: SS & S 585: 

JESUS CHRIST, GROW THOU IN ME

1. Jesus Christ, grow Thou in me,

And all things else recede !

My heart be daily nearer Thee,

From sin be daily freed.

2. Each day let Thy supporting might

My weakness still embrace;

My darkness vanish in Thy light,

Thy life my death efface.

3. In Thy bright beams which on me fall

Fade every evil thought ;

That I am nothing, Thou art all,

I would be daily taught.

4. More of Thy glory let me see,

Thou Holy, Wise, and True !

I would Thy living image be,

In joy and sorrow too.

5. Fill me with gladness from above,

Hold me by strength Divine :

Lord, let the glow of Thy great love

Through my whole being shine.

6. Make this poor self grow less and less,

Be Thou my life and aim ;

Oh, make me daily through Thy grace

More meet to bear Thy name !

   Prayers:  

1.  Lord Jesus, help me to deal with all causes of anger, being it fear, hurt, jealousy etc.

2.  LORD God Almighty, by Your mighty power I bring myself out of every snare and break every hold of anger over my life in Jesus’ name. Amen.    

3.  Pray for others in this regard.