I was reading through Proverbs this week when I came across a scripture that reminded me of something I had read last week.
The scripture is in Proverbs 22:24-25 and it says; “Make no friendship with an angry man, and with a furious man do not go, lest you learn his ways and set a snare for your soul.”
Some days I can’t believe the world we live in. People shoot each other for pulling out in front of them in a vehicle. Or for changing lanes while going down the highway.
People are getting killed for saying no to a marriage proposal.
People are dying because someone doesn’t like the way they believe. Seeing all this, I believe it is safe to say that many people are angry. And my goodness, the name calling and mudslinging at this current election is out of control.
While I like to see the photos and videos posted of my grandkids on Facebook, there are days I have to refrain from Facebook because it is filled with angry people.
A few weeks ago I got online to see what was happening with some of my friends on Facebook, the first few posts were negative and angry, and therefore I closed it. As I thought on this, the Lord said ‘if your right hand offends you, cut it off.’
I knew what He was saying ‘if you become offended or angry when reading Facebook, then it is time to cut it off.’ You see, friends, there are so many things that fuel the anger these days and we need to take heed to what God is saying in Proverbs and remove ourselves from the anger.
Don’t be in a close relationship with someone who is always angry. Someone who gets angry over the smallest things, the Bible says if you spend a lot of time with someone like that it will be a snare to your soul.
The people we surround ourselves with will either raise us up or cause us to lower our standards, make sure you do not lower your standards for anyone. You cannot expect to hang out with angry people and remain in peace. No more than you can hang out with negative people and have a positive life.
Proverbs 29:11 says; “a fool vents all his angry feelings.” Eccl. 7:9 says “anger dwells in the bosom of a fool.”
Are you one of those people who become angry at the smallest things? If so, repent and ask God to forgive you and to remove that root of anger. I can promise you, if you get angry at little things, it is not normal and there is definitely a root there. And the root probably has nothing to do with what you are angry about today.
The Bible says we can be angry and sin not. This tells me we can be angry without venting our feelings and without holding on to that anger. However, when anger begins to control us, it can and will block God from working in our lives.
God people should be peace-makers, people of peace and patience. I am not saying we will never be angry but I am saying, we can’t allow that anger to control us or our emotions. I am saying we must allow peace to rule at all times.
Today I encourage you to check your heart and check your relationships. Make sure your heart is right before God in this area. Make sure the people you are hanging around are people who have a heart to please God, even in the deepest part of their heart. And stay in peace. Our God is a God of peace, we should be also.
I want to leave you with this. I read this online a few weeks ago and found it to be quite profound. One minute of anger weakens your immune system for four to five hours. One minute of laughing boosts your immune system for up to twenty-four hours.
The choice is yours.
