Minding Your Moods:
Addicted to Anger – Part 2

Scripture Reading: Proverbs 15:1 and James 1:19

Key Verse: Proverbs 29:11

A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control.

Continuing our thoughts from yesterday’s devotional, we see that once we’ve realized the positive affects of showing our anger, it’s addicting!  This is largely an unconscious decision—a learned behavior that took several years to develop.  This is a tough behavior to identify and admit.  To change this reaction in the face of someone doing something that challenges our control will take God’s divine power!

            In my opinion, the first step is a step of surrender.  Deep down, anger is about us getting our way.  We see this in our children’s tantrums.  Our children perceive that it’s not going the way they expected or wanted and they throw a fit!  (Parents, be careful not to let that fit get them their way, lest you addict them to that behavior.)  As adults, we want our way, so when our spouse, children, neighbors, or co-workers thwart us, then we react!  If we have learned that an angry response normally gets us our own way, it’s really easy to resort to that behavior.  As a Christ follower, I must repent of that thinking and surrender to God’s way, not mine!

            A second step is to admit to those around you that you are determined to change.  Give them permission to stand strong and not cave to your angry responses.  Tell them that you’ll get over it and be a better person if they help you!  (more tomorrow)

Father, forgive me when I want my way so much that I am willing to hurt you and others with my words and attitudes!  Grant me strength.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.