DON’T CHOOSE ANGER

By Andrea Merrell

The LORD is gracious and full of compassion,
Slow to anger and great in mercy.

Psalm 145:8 NKJV

Have you ever been really, really angry? Maybe your brother took one of your toys away or your sister stepped in front of you when it was your turn. Maybe your parents told you that you couldn’t do something you had your heart set on doing.

How did you react? Did you say mean things? Did you give them a dirty look? Did you try to get back at them for making you angry? Hateful words and actions only stir the pot and make things worse.

Jesus had lots of opportunities to get angry, but he didn’t let anger control Him or get the best of Him. He never responded to others with a bad attitude or a wrong motive. The Bible says,

“The LORD is gracious and full of compassion; slow to anger and great in mercy,” and He expects us, as Christians, to follow His example.

The next time you start to get angry, remember this: Anger is a choice. You can decide NOT to be angry just as easily as you can choose TO be angry. If you’re having a hard time with your attitude, ask God to help you. He will do it every time—that’s a promise you can count on!

Andrea Merrell lives in the upstate of South Carolina and is a freelance writer and editor with a passion to help others see God’s Word as practical and relevant for ordinary, everyday life. Andrea is a staff writer and Associate Editor for www.ChristianDevotions.us. She is a contributing writer and copy editor for www.DevoKids.com.  Her work has been published in Spirit & Heart: A Devotional Journey, Faith & Finances: In God We Trust, The Write Life, and Extraordinary Answers to Prayer. She also writes for www.cornerstonegreenville.com. Visit her website at www.andreamerrell.com.

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