Is Mr. Donald Gettys there? Yes I am Don Gettys, may I help you? Then this man started talking fast as if he had given the same speech a thousand times. He had a super duper special on Vinyl Siding for our house. The price was only good that week. And what a coincidence!-- a representative was going to be in my neighborhood the very next day and when would be a convenient time for him to drop by? I finally got to a point where I told him to have a nice day and said good by.
Back at the Microwave there was trouble brewing. I opened it to see how warm things were getting and some of the left overs had splashed all over the inside of the Micro. They shouldn't do that. So I had to wipe off each container and I was in the process of wiping off the inside of the oven with a wet rag when the phone rang again.
This time it was a lady who wanted to speak to the man of the house. At that moment I did not feel much like the man of the house but admitted that indeed I was. She had a credit card for me that had a rate of only 5.9% for the first while. I told her I already had a credit card. She talked some more. I did not want her super gold card. No. NO! Thanks for calling. (was I really thankful?)
Now I am a Christian. I never get angry. At this point I was fed up with telemarketers calling at my supper time. How did they know I was about to eat? Do they have electric sensors in my phone that detect the smell of food cooking? Well I finally got it all on the table and my wife came home on time. We relaxed and sat down and had prayer over the wonderful meal. Just then the phone rang.
I got up and took the phone into the next room and said hello. "Are you Mr. Don Gettys?" Yes. I just want a moment of your time to tell you about a special deal we are having this month on our platinum Visa Card.... At this point I was almost angry. Not quite. About 99.9%. I said, "Could I have your home phone number?" " Well, I guess so." " And I need to know what time you and your family sit down to eat supper so I can call you back at that time." The salesman started to stutter. I said, "I already have two credit cards! Do not call me back. Good by!"
By this time I felt guilty. I had blown it. Later that evening I asked God to forgive me for loosing control.
Anger hurts us. Ulcers, indigestion, body temperature and blood pressure rise, but your self respect falls. Anger is a loaded gun that explodes at the breach and kills its owner.
Some folk are like volcanos. When there is enough heat inside, they explode, blowing their top. What every Christian needs is what my car has: a Cruise Control. I love the cruise control. No violent fluctuations. Steady consistent progress. Jesus is our cruise control! BUT--- Your cruise control can't help you unless you take your foot off the accelerator and allow it to control your speed. Surrender your tongue and your temper to Jesus.
PROVERBS 20:3 Fools are quick to quarrel. If you speak when you are angry you will make the best speech you will ever regret. With Jesus as our cruise control we can do better. Don't get angry at the person who acts in a way that displeases you. Instead, give him the smile he lacks. Spread the sunshine of Jesus limitless love.
PROVERBS 29:11 A fool gives FULL VENT to his anger. But the wise are using their cruise control.
Out of control! Blazing anger is a sign of weakness. It is not strength to swear. Cursing is power running loose. An adult out of control in speech or action is like a baby screaming when his pacifier is taken away. He hasn't grown up.
Proverbs 16:32--Better is a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city!
God does not say it is wrong to have a temper. The good news is that God can help you control your anger. The next time you are just about to blow your stack, stop. Take a lesson from technology, always count down before Blasting off. In that countdown stop and ask God to take control.
The next time things do not go the way you think they should, or you are not loved enough by someone in your family or someone starts an argument with you, remember to turn on your cruise control. If someone is cursing you loud and long right in your face, do not argue back. It will get worse. Never WRESTLE with a PIG, you will both get all dirty and the PIG LIKES IT!
Samson was a man out of control. He strangled a lion but he could not strangle his own lust. He broke the fetters of his foes, but could not break the cords of his sinful desires. He burned the crops of others, but lost his life when burning with flames of anger kindled by a single woman.
QUIZ-- True or False?? "Anger is sinful!" --- False! Paul says "Be angry but do not sin"-----Ephesians 4:26
Anger is not sin. If so Jesus was sinning when he drove out the money changers. What about God's wrath? Anger is a power, an elemental force. Like all energy it can be used for good or evil. When it is uncontrolled it is destructive. Channeled and directed it has the potential for good.
Christians do not lose their emotions at conversion. Act on your anger. If you get angry do something about it. Get it settled and behind you. Think about aggravated drivers in heavy traffic. Bumper to bumper, horns blowing, tempers flaring. What is it that keeps the chain reaction of angry drivers from erupting into an explosion of fighting and even homicide? It is the phenomena of divergent boiling points. No two of us erupt at the same degree of stimulation.
Like fluid in various radiators each of us has her or his own boiling point. With Jesus in your system, your boiling point is raised considerably. I believe God is saying that as humans we cannot control the fact that we get angry. But we can choose the FORM of expression in what we do about it.
The Apostle Paul says "Be Angry, but do not sin..." In this world of sin, It is no more possible to avoid ever being angry than it is to avoid ever being hungry. Just as I can choose how to react to my hunger by over eating or using good judgement, just so I can choose how I will act on my anger.
Jesus' teaching on this subject is among the most neglected in all the Bible.
Go and confront the other person. Make peace if you can. Come to an agreement. MATTHEW 18:15-17
Jesus never taught to hold it all inside. Jesus realized that un-vented anger is more explosive than a bomb. So don't harbor resentment against someone. Forgive them. Don't get even, get together!
Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turneth away wrath, but grievous words stir up anger.
One day a newly converted SDA Christian knocked on the door of a house. He was known in the little town for his hot quick temper. A lady answered the door. She happened to have a glass of milk in her hand. He asked if she would like some Bible studies. She got upset in a hurry. SWOOSH! The glass of milk was thrown right in his face.
He smiled kindly as he wiped the milk out of his eyes..."That is good milk, I wish I had a glass of it inside instead of out side." The lady cooled down. She saw that Jesus was in his heart. He was a changed man. Jesus was his cruise control.
Allow me to finish with this story which shows what Jesus can do when He is invited to take charge of our life.
A young man was drafted into the army. He had knelt by his bed and prayed every night since he was a boy. He decided to continue his prayer life. He was in a long barracks with a large wild bunch of men who did not know Jesus. Soon he became a source of anoyment and anger to the others. One night the sergeant picked up one of his heavy muddy boots and threw it at the praying youth. It struck him in the back. Then the sergeant threw the other muddy boot hitting the boy in the head. The Christian kept praying. Soon the lights went out and all was quiet. The next morning the sergeant got out of bed and looked for his boots. There they were right at the foot of his cot where they belonged sitting neatly side by side. All the mud had been cleaned off and they were beautifully polished. This act of kindness changed the sergeant.
Psalm 37:8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath
Do not fret, it leads only to evil.
37:9 Evil men will be cut off, but those who
hope in the Lord will inherit the land.
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last updated 2/3/98 by Bob Beckett.