OVERCOMING FEAR THAT LEADS TO ANGER

At the heart of problems that many people including Christians are experiencing is fear along with anger. It seems that the more we grasp the negative problems we are confronting in our society with finances, marital relationships, the environment, and the world situation there are growing concern that the level of fear and anger are increasing. It seems that the world is growing smaller and each problem becomes a bigger risk for peace in the home, in relationship with others, and in the world. I have noticed that the word used a lot these days is “fear” and so this feeling is causing many to escape from the realities that our society and world are facing by committing suicides and violence. But as a Christian, I know “God has not given me a spirit of fear, but of love and self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7) We must outweigh with our faith in Christ these negative feelings of fear and anger, because these are evil driven force. We should look to Jesus Christ who can calm the storm and bring peace.

Fear is like a growing cancer that spreads and tends to take away people’s dignity and hope. I remember the words found in John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” My friend, we are going through tough times and we don’t know when things will be right again, but we must not let fear get in the way of our hope. I recently heard a young woman call a talk show host and told her how angry she felt, but could not explain why? She considered herself a good Christian, but lately she felt like all the bad news she was hearing in the news and reading in the papers was making her angry. She was allowing herself to be influenced by the trash that is played over and over in our media. Are we to let the enemy steal our joy, kill our hope and destroy our faith in Christ? No! We are to be victorious – how? When negative thoughts and feelings embrace you, fall on your knees and pray. Ask Jesus to take away your anger and then take a good dose of God’s word. Along with that medicine “Sing for joy to the Lord, shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.” (Psalm 95:1-2) Keep in mind that “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”(Proverbs 17:22)

In conclusion, whenever you are being swayed by fear or anger do like the hymn says ‘Take it to the Lord in prayer’ and as we pray about issues of concern or worry, let’s give those anxious thoughts to the Lord. Yet, we cannot stop there. We must practice mental discipline and begin to control those things on which our mind dwells. Think about these things: true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable and excellent and praiseworthy. (Philippians 4:8) Let us take Paul’s advise given to Timothy, that is, to be a good workman to “watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.” (1 Timothy 4:16)