It’s exhausting.
Being angry and overwhelmed to the point of exploding. Trying to justify it. Regretting it and dreading it will happen again.
You don’t have to be a mom to get triggered into sinning in anger. You could just be someone driving in traffic. Someone playing a competitive video game. A person who struggles with control. Whatever the case is, we’ve all faced it.
Finding ourselves frustrated and then ragefully raising our voices at an innocent toddler, wishing wrong for the driver who cut us off, cussing at our gaming opponent. Or worse. These reactions are all a part of our sinful nature. Not being angry. Being angry is not a sin. Participating in sinful reactions because we are angry and not self-controlled is a sin.
“Be angry and do not sin; reflect in your heart while on your bed and be silent…” Psalm 4:4
I like the end of that verse, “…be silent.” Not just in our words but let our whole soul and body be silent in those moments of feeling angry. If we disciplined ourselves to do that each time, I can only imagine the righteous outcome.
Although I do believe that God can snap His fingers and cause us to overcome our unwholesome angry reactions, I believe even more that He has a purpose in the gradual transformation.
Refining us in the fire each time. Purifying us more and more. We have to partner with Him by dying to our flesh in order to experience full victory. To receive freedom from the chains of anger and what it leads to.
We’re going to mess up. Yeah, things won’t get 100% better tomorrow but as we surrender to the Holy Spirit working within us and diligently persevere past the temptations to sin in anger, we will 100% see progress! I believe that with all my heart because I’ve seen it in my life.
When faced with a situation where we fail to do what we ought to do, we will be tempted to become discouraged. But be encouraged by His presence and promise.
“…Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
There is hope, y’all. We can successfully cut off angry sinful reactions. It’ll take some work and some dying to ourselves but it’s possible and reachable.
Join me in the race towards freedom!
♥
