An angry fool

Both of these verses are good ones to have framed and hung in my office, my home, and probably in my car, too. The photo I chose doesn't necessarily go with either verse, I just saw it and it made me smile.
     According to this verse, I've often been a fool, but its good to know that I've also been a wise (wo)man many times.

A fool gives full vent to his spirit, 

but a wise man quietly holds it back.

Proverbs 29:11 ESV

Know this, my beloved brothers: 

let every person be quick to hear, 

slow to speak, 

slow to anger; 

for the anger of man 

does not produce the righteousness of God.

James 1:19-20 ESV

     I've been praying for a softened heart, and I feel God working in me, reminding me to be patient and kind and slow to frustration. Praise God.

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Please join me this week in praying for how we, as individuals of the Church, deal with the unsaved. Pray that the Spirit will guide us to portray the characteristics of Christ when our own human instincts are to act and react in a not-so-Christian way sometimes. Let’s also pray our hearts are softened toward those who test our love and patience.

I'll post daily reminders on:

twitter @7DegreesOfMe

Instagram @archadia27
Pinterest Prayer Group #7thHourPrayerPower

Facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

Angry words

A soft answer turns away wrath,

But a harsh word stirs up anger.

Proverbs 15:1 NKJV

David Jeremiah tweeted this and I thought it was perfect as we close our week of prayer for the healing of an angry heart:
 "Our world is filled with angry words, and if we're not careful, it's angry spirit can seep into our marriages, homes, and churches. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we can remain calm in angry situations and end up solving much more than an argument is capable of."

Pressing anger

For pressing milk produces curds, 

pressing the nose produces blood, and 

pressing anger produces strife.

Proverbs 30:33 ESV

Talk it over

“You shall not hate your brother in your heart, 

but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, 

lest you incur sin because of him. 

You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge 

against the sons of your own people, 

but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: 

I am the Lord.

Leviticus 19:17-18 ESV

     I get very frustrated with people who get angry or hold a grudge when they never attempt to talk it over with the person. We conjure up situations in our minds that are twice as bad as what would really happen if we just were open and honest with the person causing us grief. If that doesn't work, though, talk it over with a friend. Sometimes, just getting the situation out in the open helps to unburden our hearts. And, of course, pray about it. Ask God for guidance, strength, patience, a softened heart. He hears you and will help you always.

Slow to anger

Know this, my beloved brothers: 

let every person be quick to hear, 

slow to speak, 

slow to anger;

James 1:19 ESV

I think the world would be such a better place if everyone followed this advice.

Put off anger

     I found this slide as a part of an online power point presentation by Dr. Chloe, May 27, 2009, "Those Ugly Emotions, Responding to them in a Biblical way."
     Each situation is different, but I've found that the best remedy for anything that has me upset or angry is to talk to someone about it; better yet, to talk to the person who's made me angry. Resolution is the best medicine. However, if you've tried to reach out only to be shut down, it becomes more difficult to deal with and may even make it more difficult to deal with a similar situation with a completely different person. Trust in the Lord. Give all of your troubles up to Him. Let Him guide you through life.

Don't go to bed angry

Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,

Ephesians 4:26 ESV

This is the advice my first husband and I received during our pre-marriage counseling. We adhered to it for 25 years, so I believe it was the best advice we ever received. It works well for other relationships, too. Have you ever gone to bed angry, had angry dreams and thoughts that kept you from sleeping well, and then, woke up even more angry than when you went to bed? I have. If I go to bed angry, not only is that anger multiplied by the next morning, but I usually have additional negative feelings as well. My heart is heavier. I've gotten so worked up that I'm frustrated, emotional, obsessed (replaying the problem over and over again in my mind), and the anger can turn into hatred. I believe the best remedy is communication. Try to talk to the person and try to work out the situation. If that doesn't work, as with my specific problem, about all you can do is try to let it go. Forgive. No matter what the outcome, give it all up to God. He will help you through it like He's helping me through my anger.

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Please join us this week as we pray for the healing of an angry heart. I'll post daily reminders on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
instagram @archadia27
facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power

An angry heart

     Yesterday morning, the anger I was feeling toward someone woke me up. I have struggled with my emotions for this person for over 25 years and most of the time am able to subdue extreme feelings but over the past several months it's become more difficult. For some reason, yesterday seemed to be the peak of that anger and I could feel it in my heart ... it had turned into pure hatred. I thought that going to church would help, that the music would soften my heart and the message would speak to me, but what happened was the evil feeling overwhelmed me. I felt especially guilty feeling like that in church. So I sought out a dear friend right then and there. We went in the prayer room and talked and prayed and I could feel the anger and hatred leave my heart. It's so easy to let a bad feeling sit and fester and grow into something dark that takes over. As Christians, we can take these evil thoughts and emotions to God in prayer. Give them up to Him as you would any burden and He will take care of it. Seek out help from someone in your church family, too. Don't keep everything internal. Don't walk alone.
     When I woke up yesterday morning with those negative feelings, I prayed right then and there. When I turned on my computer, I opened Twitter first for some reason, and at the top of my feed was a post by David Jeremiah:
"Have you ever noticed that your anger isn't contained in your circumstances but is contained in your heart? When dealing with anger, let God use His words to bring healing to your angry thoughts. Ecclesiastes 7:9 and James 1:20 are great places to start."

Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry, For anger rests in the bosom of fools.

Ecclesiastes 7:9 (NKJV)

for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

James 1:20 (NKJV)

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Please join us this week as we pray for the healing of an angry heart. I'll post daily reminders on:
twitter @7DegreesOfMe
instagram @archadia27
facebook group 7th Hour Prayer Power