"Don't let the sun go down with you still angry—get over it quickly."1
Probably the biggest barrier we have to forgiving those who hurt us is unresolved hurt and anger. More often than not, where there is hurt, there is anger. Both need to be resolved.
Unresolved or buried anger is extremely destructive. This is why the Bible teaches us to resolve it as quickly as possible. Unless we do, it can turn into resentment, bitterness, hostility, and even rage if enough of it is bottled up for long enough. It is destructive to our physical, emotional and spiritual health. It is also very damaging to relationships and can lead to deep depression.
Being angry of itself is not sinful. It's how we handle it that is either right or wrong, creative or destructive. No matter what the other person does to me, my anger is always my issue and my responsibility. Nobody makes me angry without my permission.
Anger needs to be directed to its source and felt and expressed (not just talked about) in creative ways. Wherever possible it pays to express these feelings to the one who hurt us remembering to "speak the truth in love."2 Where this isn't appropriate, we can write out our feelings as David often did in the Psalms, and then burn or throw away what we have written.
Or we can express them to a trusted friend or counselor. Whatever we do we need to express them creatively and get them off our chest once and for all. This then clears the way for forgiveness; for as long as we nurse grudges (sit on our anger) we can never forgive anyone.
As Paul said, "Don't let the sun go down on your anger!" Don't sit on it. Don't deny it. Don't bury and don't repress it. Express it in healthy ways. And remember, what we fail to talk out creatively we will inevitably act out destructively in one way or another. For further help read, "Taming Your Anger" at: http://tinyurl.com/b439f.
As Paul said, "Don't let the sun go down on your anger!" Don't sit on it. Don't deny it. Don't bury and don't repress it. Express it in healthy ways. And remember, what we fail to talk out creatively we will inevitably act out destructively in one way or another. For further help read, "Taming Your Anger" at: http://tinyurl.com/b439f.
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, when I feel angry, please help me to express it creatively without blaming others for my reaction. And help me always to speak the truth in love. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus' name, amen."
1. Paul, in Ephesians 4:26 (TLB). 2. Ephesians 4:15.
Credit: Daily Encounter
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