To Be or Not to Be: Angry or Joyful???

          Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  It will help you greatly if you are having a problem with anger!

  

            May I ask you a personal question?  Are you quick-tempered?  Do you lash out at others before you even realize it?  Then chances are you may have anger that you’ve not properly acknowledged and dealt with!

            God gives us emotions….and anger is one of those emotions.  It’s not necessarily wrong to be angry. But it’s how we handle our anger that many times presents the problem. Ephesians 4:26 says: "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.”   When we refuse to let go of our anger, it will  fester and the root of bitterness will grow in our heart. That’s when Satan gets a “foothold” in our lives.

            If our anger is vented thoughtlessly, it can do a lot of damage.  We hurt others with our careless words and can destroy relationships.  If we bottle it up…it can destroy US! So what is the answer?  Simply put: we must release the anger.  And God is willing to help us to just that! Charles Stanley suggests that there are 6 prerequisites for releasing our anger:

1. Shed the excuses.
2. Be willing to change your attitude.
3. Choose not to worry.
4. Refuse to cherish your anger.
5. Refuse to self-medicate your anger.
6. Be patient.

If we will prayerfully follow these steps, we CAN experience JOY rather than anger!

       ANGER causes hurt; but JOY in JESUS brings healing.