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Anger lives in fools the Bible says. It is the fuel of evil.
9 Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry,
For anger rests in the bosom of fools. Ecclesiastes 7:9
HURRYING
We live in a world that is driven by the word hurry. Often people want things done instantly. Instant coffee, instant oatmeal, instant communications via text. We want it now.
Some of that is fine. Life sometimes requires us to keep up with the flow around us.
However, the Bible tells us NOT to hurry in regard to some things. Today we look at one thing in particular.
DON’T BE QUICK
Don’t hurry to be angry.
SOURCES
Anger might rise, and often does when we don’t get our own way.
Perhaps, a teacher, a co-worker, or a spouse overlooks our suggestions. We assume that our opinions are less than valued. Soon anger rises and we allow it to do so. Prejudices grow against the person who we feel is opposing us.
The anger we feel is clung to.
We simply do not let it go.
The incident runs through our minds again and again where we feed it until it grows even more.
SOURING OUR WHOLE LIVES
It might be that we allow a few such incidents to sour our whole lives. We develop prejudices against this person or that. The one who differs in opinion with us becomes a target of our wrath.
The Bible cautions that we should not be in a hurry to become angry.
God knows full well how dangerous this can be both for the person who is angry and for their target.
FOOLS
Only fools hold on to anger and keep it in their innermost hearts. It grows like the worst malignant cancer and influences the rest of our actions, thoughts, and lives.
THE SOLUTION
Thus, we have this verse of God’s advice to help us LET GO of anger before it starts. It is His way to teach us to live better and more joyful lives.
Turning to Him in prayer instead of allowing anger to remain in our hearts is always the answer.
He will help us defuse safely when we pray and lay it all at His feet.