On June 6, 1944, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Supreme Allied Commander, was the most powerful man on earth. Under his authority, the largest amphibious army ever assembled prepared to liberate the Nazi dominated continent of Europe. How was Eisenhower able to lead such a vast army?
Part of the answer can linked to his remarkable skill in working with different kinds of people. What many didn't know, however is that [Eisenhower] The Supreme Allied Commander hadn't always gotten along with others. As a boy, he often go into fist-fight at school. But fortunately he had a caring mother who instructed him in God's word.
One time, when she was bandaging his hands after an angry outburst with his colleague in school, she quoted Proverbs 16:32 "He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city" Years later, Eisenhower wrote "I have always looked back on that conversation as one of the most valuable moment of my life"
 |
| General Dwight D Eisenhower |
Undoubtedly, by learning to control his anger, Eisenhower was able to work effectively with others which leadeth him to control and lead vast armies that conquered Adolf Hitler tyrant dominate of ruling the world. He who conquers his anger, conquers a strong enemy. Inevitably, each of us will at times be tempted to lash out in anger. Yet through God's work in our lives we can learn to control our anger. However, he later went ahead and served as the 34th President of the United States from 1953 until 1961. His favorite quotes are,
- Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants to do it.
- A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both.
- You do not lead by hitting people over the head - that's assault, not leadership.
THE NATURE OF ANGER.
Do you know that everybody experiences anger? Even the person who looks quiet always has his/her own anger. But a dangerous anger will surely lead to a devilish act. What is anger? Anger is a strong feeling of annoyance, hatred and displeasure. Something that irritates and frustrates you will surely trigger your anger.
The character or action of somebody can even make you angry. Thus, it is normal for a man to be angry. The Bible says, Psalm 4:4 ESV: "Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the LORD" These reminded us of Cain and Abel in the Bible. Cain became a murderer due to his uncontrolled anger.
He did not offer the right sacrifice and God did not accept it. Then Cain was not happy and he did not put his trust in God; So, he killed his blood brother Abel (Genesis 4:3-8). In that sense, unhappiness, jealousy and disappointment usually stirs up anger. That hot anger can make you to commit sin. It can lead to your destruction and calamity. Nurture that hot anger before it is too late.
In fact, some people are fast to anger. The true manifestation of anger is through the person's reactions and actions. To clarify, when a human being gets angry and react devilishly due to carelessness, he/she is liable to hell fire (Matthew 5:21-22). The devil uses the hot anger of many people to commit evil acts. After the evil act has been done, then the person will realize later on.
At this point, the person will now be in a state of regrets. Ephesians 4:26-27 says, "Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil".
Actually, what makes anger to be uncontrollable includes jealousy, hatred, unhappiness, madness, bitterness, revenge, pride, arrogance and unforgiveness. Conversely, what makes anger to be controllable includes love, peace, mercy, patience, endurance, self-control, joy, gentleness, humility and forgiveness. Therefore, put away your hatred towards that person, for this will hinder God from answering your prayers (Matthew 6:14-15). It is not a good thing to directly provoke somebody to anger. unforgiveness is a sin (see Leviticus 19:17-18; Ephesians 4:31-32; 1 John 2:9-11; Colossians 3:12-14).
Do you think God have forgiven your sins when you are an unforgiving person? Stop keeping malice with your neighbor and brethren. Forgive and love him/her from your heart. Do possessed the urge to harm and revenge? (see Romans 12:16-21). Why not let it go? Repent right now, for tomorrow may be too late.
I am convinced that many people hot anger can lead to suicide. The truth is, suicide will not be the best option for you to be free from your frustrations and confusions. Suicide will not save you. Do not be hot- tempered. Anyone who killed himself/herself intentionally will end up in hell fire; no murderer will make Heaven (Revelation 21:8; 1 John 3:15).
HOW TO CONTROL AND OVERCOME YOUR ANGER?
A lot of people still find it hard to control their anger. This can be dangerous. The Holy Spirit of God expressly says that it is not easy for some people to forgive. The truth is, anger is a NATURE that can be NURTURED. It is also a RAGE that can be MANAGED. God can be angry; but He has a great power to control His anger.
For God does not retain his anger forever. The bible says, "The LORD is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, forgiving iniquity and transgression....." (Numbers 14:18). Now, how can you control and overcome your anger? The Word of God (the Bible) is very effective in this; therefore, meditate on it. And it will change your soul (i.e., mind, will and emotions). Biblical, anger can be controlled through the following:
1. GREAT UNDERSTANDING: Proverb 14:29 "Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly" Great understanding of the situation and circumstances makes a way for you not to react and act immediately. For example, Mr. War was just joking about the lifestyle and behavior of Miss Peace.
He was just trying to make her angry and he just wanted to hear and see her feedback and reactions. Then Miss Peace who had a great understanding overcame and handled this. In that sense, great understanding makes you to greatly understand the person's ways, words, opinions and reasons for the provocation and irritation.
2. ATTITUDE: Proverb 12:16 "A fool is quick-tempered, but a wise person stays calm when insulted" Your attitude determines your reactions and actions. Similarly, it determines how you respond to the situation and circumstances. Whoever has a negative or bad attitude will do foolish things. But, whoever has a positive or good attitude deals wisely.
For this reason, change your thinking and change the way you see people, things and events. Similarly, have a positive or good attitude towards people, things and events (some are not meant to make you angry; stop taking things personally).
3. THE TONE OF YOUR VOICE: Proverb 15:1 "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger" An extreme anger is called wrath. A person who is slow to speak will also be slow to anger (see James 1:19-20). When someone provokes you, try to talk slowly and gently; this will turn away your anger. The low tone of your voice will surely help in this case.
Perhaps your are high typo nagging wife whom husband often maltreated. However, whenever word encounter arises between you and your husband please endeavor
to zip-in and bank-stored some quantity of water inside your mouth ( don't swallow it) for couple of minutes, You will behold wonder..!
This act will also help you to built a successful marriage with the control of your tongue.
4. COOL SPIRIT: Proverb 16:32 "Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than who takes a city" To have a cool spirit is to be humble in spirit. Those who are meek do not always become angry. In other words, they are slow to anger. Meekness involves gentleness and humility. This will take away your anger.
Learn how to be quiet when the provocation comes. Listen to the person point of view. Reserve and keep back your words. Count to 1-15 before you react and act. Be silent; calm down by taking deep breaths. In addition, just in case you overreacted, then apologies immediately and take a walk, for example ( Abeg no vex; Oga/Madam no vex; Sorry Sir/Ma; Pls Pardon Me)
5. SELF CONTROL: Proverb 19:11 "Sensible people control their temper; they earn respect by overlooking wrongs" Self-control leads you to think before you react and act. It keeps you under control. It involves having total control over your emotions, thoughts, feelings, reactions, actions and desires. Self-control will not allow you to do some things you had love to do. A wise person will think deeply before he/she reacts and acts.
Ask yourself at this time, "Will God be happy and be pleased with my reactions and actions?" Then overlook the offence by being wise, so that your reactions and actions may not lead to an evil damage, or something else. Therefore, forgive and forget about the wrongs of someone. Be merciful (see James 2:13; Colossans 3:12-14).
Let love rule over your spirit; for love covers all wrongs (see Proverbs 10:12). You must rule over that hot anger before it leads you to hell fire. Yes, you can overcome. Fear not but rather allow peace of God to flow into your heart.
WHAT IS OUR DEEPEST FEAR?
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. We ask ourselves, who am i to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? We are born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. What does this means?
It means, you are not supposed to be afraid of yourself. You ought to stand firm and proves to the Lord what you can do because he has faith in you; with him you can see the invisible and do the impossible. Hence, ensure you bestow smile on people faces and strengthen their spiritual life rather than imprisoning your spiritual gift and talent in ANGER.
Have you ever perceive the feeling, where everything seem right. Where you don't have to worry about tomorrow or yesterday but you feel safe and you know you are doing the best you can. There is a word for that feeling. It's called LOVE. That is what you ought to share and feel with your brethren. You ought to feel their pain and suffer with them "LONG SUFFERING".
Tolerate and endure their irritating attitude "OVERLOOKS". Always offer your aid to their spiritual needs instead of gossiping about them "VOW/ VOLUNTEER". Follows-them up with strengthen words of faith and hope, whose inspired them to believe in themselves for better tomorrow "ENCOURAGEMENT". How many people have you inspired and nourished spiritually with your attitude and strengthens with hope? That can be found in 4 letter's word………! "L. O. V. E "
- L: Long suffering.
- O: Overlook.
- V: Vow/Volunteer.
- E: Encouragement.
Happy memories and experiences can also be used to overcome anger. It makes you to smile and laugh. Proverb 15:13 "A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit" Trust in the Lord Jesus Christ with all your heart, so that you can be free from hot anger. He is the only one who can give you a joyful heart. The person who is wise will turn away from hot anger. Therefore be slow to anger.
You have to tolerate; be patient. Rejoice in the Lord, and let his joy be your strength. It's a must for you to rule over those temptations and trials that are coming your way. The desire of Satan is for you is to fall into his traps and designs. It's only Jesus Christ who can save you from that self tyrant of anger.
