Volcanic activity

An angry man stirs up strife, and a furious man abounds in transgression. — Proverbs 29:22                             

It erupts. It melts everything in its path. Its blast is as powerful as a nuclear explosion!

Well, maybe not — but a temper can feel as intense as a volcano when it is aimed directly at another person in a family. The moment may be quickly over, but it can leave emotional devastation and bitter feelings behind.

It’s sad that the people we love the most are often the target of our hurtful words. But even when we feel we’ve been provoked, we have a choice. Will we respond in anger or in kindness?

The Bible tells us to rid ourselves of bitterness and anger, and to “be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you” (Eph. 4:32).

If you are struggling with chronic anger that is hurting your relationships, surrender this vulnerable part of your emotions to Christ’s strength (Phil. 4:13). Ask God to forgive you for an uncontrolled temper and to show you how to moderate your emotions and to teach you how to honor others above yourself (Rom. 12:10). Seek out help from others to learn how to deal with your strong emotions in appropriate ways.

As we earnestly seek to love others and to please God, we can win the victory over a volcanic temper. — Cindy Hess Kasper

Spirit of God, please change my heart,

And give me a new desire;

I want to be a man of peace,

Not controlled by anger’s fire. — K. De Haan

READ:Ephesians 4:29-32

Losing your temper is no way to get rid of it.

The Bible in one year:

• Leviticus 13; Matthew 26:26-50