Your Anger Is Doing Damage
Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools. Ecclesiastes 7:9
Angry outbursts are destructive in all relationships, especially in your home. Children are the most vulnerable to parental anger, and they mirror their parents’ behavior. We shape our children’s destiny by our words, behaviors, and attitudes, and if they’re raised in a home that’s consistently high-volume, they’ll react similarly. Your actions are training your children to be hysterical and violent. Soon everyone will be overreacting, flying into fits of rage, and attacking one another. When you exhibit tantrum-like behavior you’re acting out of a selfish need to get what you want, when you want it, in the way you think you ought to have it. Please – for your family’s sake – start acting like an adult; exhibit self-control. ‘Imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises’ (Hebrews 6:12). Notice, you must have faith and patience. You may not be able to control what happens in life, but you can certainly control your reaction. Whether it’s the anger a father brings home from the workplace, or a wife’s anger towards her husband, it can bring a curse. Simeon and Levi harbored anger in their hearts and became vicious and vindictive murderers. Because of this, a curse came upon them, and the anger was passed down from generation to generation (see Genesis 49). You must break the curse by resisting the temptation to let anger dictate your behavior. In the words of James: ‘My dear brothers, take note … Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires’ (James 1:19-20).
Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to never act out of anger but to pray, think first and seek Your council in Your word. In Jesus’ Name, Amen
I confess this was the case in my home when my sons were growing up. I thought I had to control everything they did, and, being children, they naturally misbehaved. Their mother had no more ideas for creative, loving, yet firm discipline than I did, and resisted my attempts to do so, tending to excuse their actions rather than working together on any plan. Since I was frustrated by this, I tended to lash out verbally at them, and at her when she was not present. This chilled my relationship with my older sons, and led my wife to divorce me. I still grieve the damage that has done, especially in that they have turned their back on Christ and His church. I fear that in a large part it is because of my anger and failure to show more grace to them.