HELP RID ME OF ANGER!!

What a week this has been! I have had to deal with several issues, both dealing with family, and both that I am very uncomfortable with.

Both of these issues have made me face feelings that I thought I had dealt with yet I obviously have not because they are weighing so heavy on my mind. I realize that in both situations I still harbor a great deal of bitterness, anger, and resentment.

I am trying so hard to rid myself of these feelings yet it is so hard. I know that I cannot do it on my own. I know that God wants to rid me of these feelings and He is the only one that can help me!

Lord, please help me to deal with these situations in the way You would have me to. Help me to get rid of any bitterness, anger, and resentment that I feel. Help me to love those who I feel these feelings toward and show compassion towards them. Help me to show them Your love!!

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:31-2

WHAT ANGERS YOU?

Have you ever known a person who is always angry about something? It may be that the car in front of them is going to slow or that the drive-thru at McDonalds didn't get their order right or that the checkout lane at the grocery store is moving way too slow. These minor incidents can ruin some people's day. You wonder what is going to make them angry or upset next!

But if we are truthful with ourselves, not only do we know people like this, we ourselves can find ourselves upset over things that don't really matter. We don't like this trait in others so it probably is not a great trait in ourselves, either!

If you have to be upset or angry about something, why not be upset over things that really matter instead of getting angry and upset over trivial things. Things like people who are hungry and have no food, people who are homeless and have no place to lay their head at night, people who are sick and have no insurance or money to be able to go to the doctor, people who are dying without the knowledge of Jesus Christ!!

Lord, instead of being angry and upset over trivial things, help us to adjust our priorities and to make a difference in the lives of others in ways that really matter. Help us to lead others to you! Help us to be patient with others and control our anger and show others your love.

My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. James 1:19-20