How Can I Avoid Other People Making Me Angry?

Q: I know the Bible says we shouldn’t get angry, but how can we avoid it? When people upset you, you can’t just pretend you aren’t angry or act like it doesn’t exist. — F.J.

A: You’re partly right; unfortunately, we often do put a lid on our anger or make ourselves think we aren’t really angry — at least for a time. But hidden anger can eat away at us like a deadly cancer, hurting us both emotionally and spiritually — and sometimes exploding into uncontrollable rage.

On the other hand, great harm also comes when we get vent to our anger, destroying both us and those around us. As you read through this newspaper today, I’m sure you’ll find many illustrations of this tragic truth. Murder, domestic violence, child abuse, terrorism, and even full-scale war often have their roots in uncontrolled anger. The Bible rightly says, “An angry person stirs up conflict, and a hot-tempered person commits many sins” (Proverbs 29:22).

But the Bible points us to another way: the way of Christ. When we submit our lives to Christ and seek to do His will, we won’t let circumstances upset or overwhelm us. Instead, we’ll turn them over to God, and seek His peace and patience. Things that used to make us angry will no longer do so, because we’ll begin seeing them from God’s point of view.

I often think of Jesus in this regard. He was falsely accused and unjustly condemned to death — and yet he never got angry or lashed out at His accusers. As the Bible says, “He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth” (Isaiah 53:7).

Commit your life — including your emotions — to Jesus Christ. Then ask Him to help you face life’s situations the way He did — with love for others and complete trust in God.

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(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)

(c)2018 BILLY GRAHAM DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.