Someone recently unleashed their anger on me and I was tempted to return the sentiment, but didn’t. I have to fight to be unoffendable. It’s a spiritual battle.
“The Spirit and your desires (the flesh) are enemies of each other. They are always fighting each other and keeping you from doing what you feel you should.” Galatians 5:17
As this person cursed me, it helped to recognize their anger was fueled by their flesh. Anger in itself isn’t wrong. One can be angry at a person and still treat them with kindness and respect. It’s all about self control, a fruit of the Spirit.
When our minds are governed by the Holy Spirit, we can control our emotions and not succumb to outbursts of anger. The fruit of the Spirit is love, and love “is not easily angered.” 1 Corinthians 13:5. Fits of rage on the other hand, are out of control manifestations of the flesh. (See Galatians 5:20)
I say all this to encourage you to draw close to God and allow the Holy Spirit to govern your mind. I’m talking to myself, for I too battle with the flesh. For me, it’s not really anger, but idolatry (valuing worldly things more highly than God) that I fight to overcome.
Whether it’s idolatry, outbursts of anger, unforgiveness, lust, drunkenness, or other sins like these, the remedy is the same.
“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.”
Galatians 5:16
There it is! When we allow the Holy Spirit to govern our minds, we won’t give in to the urge to lash out in anger. Likewise, if we are the recipient of someone’s anger, we won’t gratify the desire to retaliate. Instead, we will control ourselves, act like Jesus, and overlook the offense, knowing their flesh just got the best of them.
Lord, I want to love those who mistreat me, just like you did. Help me obtain an unoffendable heart.
“When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate” 1 Peter 2:23
“A person’s wisdom makes him slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.” Proverbs 19:11
“Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you.” Luke 6:28
“The LORD is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.” Psalm 103:8
Heartspills 
Walt, I love the profound simplicity of your posts!!
I recently heard someone say that when you feel the need or desire to get angry that if you turn your palms upwards- it is almost impossible to be angry! I have personally tried this and it works!!
why? I think it’s completely in line with what you shared. Back in the olden days (1980’s) you may remember pastor Jim teaching on being before the Lord in a posture of receiving- with our hands turned upwards, like we were ready to receive something.
Hopefully this becomes more and more a habit that having to be a choice of action!!
thanks for sharing. Hope everything is good with you. Love to Marci!!
Maurice
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Thanks Maurice! Appreciate the advice. Might have to try the palm up idea! Blessings to you as well from Marci and I!!
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Walt, I know how it feels to be the target of someone’s wrath: awful! I grew up in an abusive household, with an alcoholic mother and a rageaholic father. Fun times!🫣And I wasn’t a belever until around age thirty. So I didn’t practice forgiveness until years later. But God gave me the gift of humor to diffuse the anger. And that helped, a lot. In later years, as my parents watched my life, things got better. And one day, in my Fresno kitchen, I had the honor of leading my father in the sinner’s prayer. How the Lord loves redeeming what the locust has eaten! Thank you for your wise words reminding me of our Lord’s plan. Forgiveness is a beautiful thing! Love to you and Marci ❤️🙏🥰
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Patti. What a beautiful story! I had never heard that about your dad and your childhood! What a redeemer we have! Thank you for sharing your heart! Love you!!!!
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Thanks walt there you go reading my mind 🙂
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