No Anger Stew For Me! -- part 3

Today we will conclude our discussion on this topic of “No Anger Stew for Me!”  I pray this has been an enlightening conversation about the topic of anger for all of us.

Mothers of Nations, the truth about anger is this. It is a God-given emotion. In reality, the emotion of anger has both negative AND positive sides! Over the past two weeks we have looked at many facets of the negative side of anger.

Let’s conclude today’s entry and talk about some positive sides or values of this emotion. Have you considered any of these positive characteristics of anger?

• Anger can lead us to make changes. It can motivate us to intervene in the status quo or to set a boundary.
• Anger can lead us to recognize and understand our expectations and our unmet needs.
• Anger can give us the needed energy to deal with a problem or push us to deeper diligence in prayer.
• Anger can lead us to problem solving, searching for answers.
• Anger can be used to reveal to us our care about someone.

Yes, strange as it may sound, anger can lead to incredibly constructive and innovative actions! Here are just a few examples from history.

MADD – MADD was started by Candace Lightner and a group of heartbroken and angry mothers mourning children killed in drunk driving crashes. After Lightner’s daughter was killed in 1980, she reached out to other grieving mothers, banding together to form MADD to advocate for change.

Florence Nightengale was a British nurse, statistician, and social reformer who is considered the pioneer of modern nursing. Nightingale was put in charge of caring for British and allied soldiers in Turkey during the Crimean War. The dire conditions she witnessed during countless hours in the wards giving personal care to wounded soldiers fired a passion within her to crusade for improved healthcare. Nightengale is esteemed for reforming healthcare practices, reducing mortality rates, and establishing nursing as a respected profession among many other accomplishments. She turned the anger that she felt at what she saw in those early wards into contributions that revolutionized the healthcare industry of her time.

Abraham Lincoln – It is said that one day Abraham Lincoln was standing at a slave market and he watched a Black women scream as she was torn away from her husband and child. At that very moment Lincoln’s life was changed and his life course was redirected. The intense emotions he felt of injustice led him to say this. “That’s wrong. And if I ever get a chance to hit that, I’ll hit it hard.” And we know the rest of the story. He did just that.

I know we could all think of many other examples from history that exemplify how the emotion of anger that can rise up within us can be channeled to produce positive results, changes for the better, empowerment to overcome hindrances, and ability to find solutions to problems. What are some examples that come to mind for you?

As we close today, here is a “recipe” for how to avoid anger stew.

Step 1:  Be slow to respond to challenging situations. Stop and think before you speak.

Proverbs 14:17 -- A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, and a man of wicked intentions is hated.

Proverbs 15:1-2 -- A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. ² The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, but the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.

James 1:19 -- So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.

Step 2:  Control your tongue and your behavior. This is not a time to throw things, scream out words you will later regret, swear, or engage in name calling.

Proverbs 29:11 -- A fool vents all his feelings, but a wise man holds them back.

Step 3:  Straighten out and remedy your disagreements quickly. Go and apologize. If you don’t, the seed of anger and discord will continue to grow. Paul said the following to the Ephesian believers.

Ephesians 4:26 –  Be angry, and do not sin: do not let the sun go down on your wrath.

Step 4:  Pray for the person that has angered you. Praying for someone makes us more loving and caring for that person and it transforms our heart from anger to mercy.

Luke 6:27-28 – Jesus said this: “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, ²⁸ bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you."

Acts 7:54-60 – Stephen prayed for those angry with him while being stoned.

⁵⁴ When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. ⁵⁵ But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, ⁵⁶ and said, “Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” ⁵⁷ Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord. ⁵⁸ and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. ⁵⁹ And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” ⁶⁰ Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not charge them with this sin.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Step 5:  Leave revenge in the hands of God. Determine not to let that seed of anger grow.

Romans 12:17-19 – ¹⁷ Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. ¹⁸ If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. ¹⁹ Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.

Romans 12:21 -- Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Mothers of Nations, my prayer for you is now and always, “No Anger Stew for You!”

Dr. Sharon Predovich