Today’s Scripture
Don’t sin by letting anger control you. Think about it overnight and remain silent.
Psalm 4:4 NLT

Thoughts for Today
Anger is one of the most common emotions we experience. It’s part of being human. All of us have lost our tempers and lashed out at God, ourselves or others. Many of us have silently boiled in rage or frustration.

We might not want to admit to being angry—we would rather have people see us as calm and controlled. But let’s face it … try as we might to avoid it, we do get angry. The good news is that we don’t have to let it control our lives.

Consider this … 
The first step to ensuring that anger does not control your life is to admit that you do get angry. Letting anger simmer beneath the surface, refusing to admit even to yourself that it is there, only leads to problems. It is important to deal with it as soon as possible.

The Bible encourages us to find ways to manage our anger. As we accept anger as a common part of life, it is vital that we learn how to deal with it. Pray for God’s guidance in discovering where you are in accepting your anger and in making it your servant, not your master.

Prayer
Father, forgive me for the times I’ve been controlled by anger and have responded to people with unkind words and thoughts. Forgive me also for sometimes just holding the anger in and letting it build into serious resentment and even bitterness. Teach me to deal with anger and not be controlled by it. In Jesus’ name …

Living Free