Everyone has the capacity to become angry. Even Jesus became angry on occasion. The problem is not that you may become angry, but the problem arises when you do not manage it properly.

Some people withdraw when they are angry. They just “stuff it” down inside themselves and wait for it to subside enough to get back into their normal routine. This is a recipe for depression. In many instances, depression is nothing more than anger turned inward. When depression really takes root in a person’s life, there are a number of bad side-effects.

Some explode when they become angry. This is the “other side of the horse” and can bring about disasterous results. People do things in a fit of anger that they may later regret, but the hurtful words and actions can not be undone.

It is important to understand that nobody can “make” you angry. Anger is an emotion that you choose, believe it or not. One man said that his wife was angry at him, and she was just in a rage, telling him how angry he had made her, and about that time the phone rang, and his wife picked it up, and with the sweetest voice you’ve ever heard, said, “Hello.”

To manage anger, define exactly what you’re angry about. Ask yourself why you have chosen that emotion, instead of some other. Are you using anger as a replacement for fear? People sometimes do. There is an old saying, “Don’t cry over spilled milk,” meaning it’s a waste of tears, because you can’t pick it up again. If your reason for being angry is something that is done and can’t be undone, take a deep breath and take whatever steps you can, short of an anger explosion, to prevent it from happening again. If you’re angry about something that is ongoing, you need to determine, as quickly as possible, if there is something you can do to change the situation, and if so, do it. Withdrawing or exploding is rarely effective in bringing about a lasting change. Good, sensible communication is effective.

The ultimate tool for the Christian in anger management is to turn it over to the Lord. That is not say that you not deal with what needs to be dealt with, but it does mean that you don’t get your emotions so bound up in that it ends up hurting you. Don’t forget, God promises to be our avenger and the meeter of our needs.

Most improperly managed anger is directed at people. Just do what the Bible says, and pray for the person at whom you are angry. Don’t pray for God to kill him, pray for God to bless him. Pray for God to fill him with the Holy Spirit and pour blessings out on his life. If God does that, the person for whom you are praying will become one of the sweetest people you know.

It’s an age-old question, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” You may have even felt that bad people seem to get by with less trouble than good people. You tell the truth, you are honest, and you try to treat others as you would want to be treated, and you have your share of trouble, but you know people who lie, cheat, and use others to their own advantage, and they seem to have a care-free life.

First of all, they don’t have a care-free life. They may give that illusion on the surface, but there is much that you do not see. You do not see the emptiness of their soul, when they turn the lights off at night; you do not see their ultimate end, when they have breathed their last breath; and, you do not see the long term damage that is being done to those over whom they have influence. The Bible says, “The way of the transgressor is hard.”

You may think that a good person ought to have it easier in life. Actually, a good person does have it easier, but you’ve got to realize that “good” is a relative term, and not absolute. Jesus said, “There is none good but God.” In all honesty, any one of us can look down in the private thoughts and intents of our hearts and find plenty of badness.

One of the confusions, is that many people consider themselves to be good, based on their own standard, instead of God’s standard. They think because they have been good to little puppies and kittens, it is well with their souls. They think because they put $5 in the Salvation Army’s collection last Christmas, God owes them one.

A person who loves God and seeks to follow His teachings is in a position to receive the blessings of God in ways that other people are not. If that describes you, you are given the promises of God, and God’s promises never fail.

Then, why do bad things come your way? One thing, is that God is using every event of your life in such a way that it gives Him glory and works for your overall good. It is in the worst of difficulties, that people often have their most effective witness for Christ. There is, however, the possibility that you are suffering things you don’t have to suffer. You should always take a look in the mirror of your soul and determine whether or not you are really walking by faith.

God does not bless disobedience, even in your life, and there is a law of sowing and reaping. One who doesn’t obey God in money matters cannot expect to be blessed financially. One who doesn’t obey God in proper care of his physical body cannot expect to be blessed with good health. One who doesn’t obey God in relating to his spouse cannot expect his marriage to be blessed. One who doesn’t obey God in matters of child-rearing cannot expect God’s blessings on his family.

I cannot help but wonder, when people say, “I wonder what I did to deserve this?”, if God is not saying, “Where do you want Me to start?”

It has become one of the most controversial matters in modern-day churches. The trend is changing, and for some, it is painful.

Music is a means to an end, and not the end. The end is bringing people to love Jesus. In other words, music is a worship tool, designed to capture attention, create mood, and convey truth on an emotional level. The most important thing about music is the words. The tune to which the words are set is a distant second to the words. There is nothing either good nor evil about a tune without words. Continue reading →