A N G E R

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When our desire to gain tangible benefits from the regiments of our spiritual disciplines comes to an end, or is unmet with immediate or continued delight then we naturally become embittered and bear a bad grace, which affects all that we do.  We can become easily irritated over the smallest matters.

Another type of vexation is to be sorely disappointed in the imperfections of others because we set ourselves up as masters of virtue, which is contrary to spiritual meekness and gentleness.

Another type of anger is with oneself when you observe your own imperfectness and display an impatience that is not humility.  Because of such vanity a prescription is drafted up that purposes to accomplish a great deal and make grand resolutions.  But they are not humble and have no misgivings about themselves.  The more resolutions they make they greater their fall and the greater their annoyance.  They do not reflect the patience to wait for that which God will give them when it pleases him.

Some souls on the other hand, are so patient as regards progress which they desire that God would gladly see them less so.

I have been tragically guilty of displaying multiple signs of the sin of anger/wrath across decades of my life.

My worst sin has been the pride that accompanied my anger (lethal combination) as a young man, husband and father.  I was not patient with myself, thinking that I was better than others and should not have these frailties of ability and virtue.  I was a raucous husband whose need for attention and affection was distorted and came through moodiness of lowliness or of intimidation toward my wife.  As a young father my wrath was unleashed upon our five young children as I demanded from them perfection in the areas of obedience.

The brokenness of my life as a child had to encounter a deeper and greater brokenness of my will as a young man so that I could be made whole.  In fact, I have given much of my life to the work of repairing my anger and I owe my restoration to the work of God’s Spirit, the revelation of God’s love and my wife’s undying devotion to love me well.

My climax of healing and revelation took place in 2005 when I realized I did not have an anger problem, only a love problem.  Love became my focus and anger has melted away.