Stealth Anger

~~~ 1 Kings 18:41-46 ~~~ Psalm 65 ~~~ Matthew 5:20-26 ~~~

The problem with anger is...
How do you complete that sentence?
What makes you angry?

Jesus says,
...whoever is angry with his brother
will be liable to judgment...
...go first and be reconciled with your brother...

Even though anger might be a normal human
 response in certain circumstances,
it does not mean it is good.

We all know the killing of another person
 is a grave sin according to the written commandments.
But today Jesus says wait a minute...step back...take a closer look...
Where is the real problem?
I suggest, Jesus is telling us the real problem is anger.
Anger is the first step toward committing murder.
The more steps you take in anger the more difficult it is to retreat.
If you keep stepping deeper into anger you get closer
 to being able to take another's life.

Anger clouds your better judgement towards rationalizing the wrong decision.
The opposite is true for love.
Love clouds your judgement towards making the better decision.

Jesus does not want us to be comfortable residing in a state of anger.
Jesus wants us to find a way to be reconciled with others.
Where is the place you can see the other person in a more loving way?

Elijah sent Ahab to look for the rain cloud.
For six trips to the lookout post he saw nothing.
Finally the seventh trip up he saw a very small cloud...
“There is a cloud as small as a man’s hand rising from the sea.”

So it is with anger;
at first it may begin as something small
...not really important...

If allowed it continues to grow...
occupying more and more of your heart.

The same analogy can be applied to forgiveness and reconciliation. 

At first it may be very small...just a passing thought...
But if we keep trying to see the person as God sees them, then
we have a greater chance of rooting out the anger.

Anger is stealth as it often creeps up on you.
Your anger is specific to your personal disposition.
Anger is stealth because it can present itself
in your life in a quiet and clever way.
The word stealth is Archaic: the act of stealing.

Anger is stealth because it steals your peace and your joy.
Anger is covert; this is how it hides in your soul.
Anger replaces your peace and joy.

So I ask you.
What do you want more of in your life...
Anger or Peace and Joy?

Personally my desire is to choose peace and joy over anger.

Lord, please bless me with sufficient grace
 to never let feelings of anger keep me from your presence.
I thank you, Lord, for filling my soul with your peace and joy.
Amen.