Ephesians 4:26-27 In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.  

Ephesians 4:26-27 In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.  

Anger is a natural response to a perceived offense.  It will come without invitation; you cannot stop it.  Nevertheless, you can control your response to anger.  The Bible does not say–do not become angry.  It does say, “In your anger, do not sin.”  The “sin” is your inappropriate response–harboring an offense, refusing to forgive, cursing, rejecting, retaliating, slandering, pouting, or judging others’ motives.

The first step in dealing with your anger is to admit that you are angry.  You may need to get alone for a few minutes and consider the root of your anger.  What right was violated?  Was it the right to be obeyed, the right to be respected, the right to do what I want to do, the right to be told the truth, or the right to privacy?  Identify your right.  Next, nail your “right” to the cross of Christ; give it to Christ.  We are crucified with Christ; therefore, our rights are also on the cross.  Did you just say, “Wait, a minute! I have my rights!”? 

When you gave your heart to Christ, you became a servant.  Servants have responsibilities, not rights.  Before you stop reading, please consider this truth further.  Aren’t we called to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Christ?  Please consider that we are not called to a self-centered, self-serving lifestyle, but rather to a lifestyle that serves our Heavenly Father and our fellow man.  This can only be interpreted as ‘responsibilities’ rather than ‘rights’.
            Try to identify your responsibility to the student, parent, or coworker who has offended you.  Is your responsibility simply to forgive?  Is it to train, to correct, or to pray for those who mistreat you? Could it be to love your enemy?  You may need to confront your offender with his error, or you may be the one who sinned and need to repent (Matthew 18; Matthew 5).  As you consider the offense and the biblical perspective of your situation, choose to quiet your emotions and begin to deal rationally toward a solution that brings resolution and peace, not resentment and bitterness.

Remember, with God, all things are possible.  God has a solution to your anger.  Forgiveness and restoration are keys to peace and happiness.  A responsible person takes action toward solutions not just toward peace.

Dear God, Teach me to lay down my rights and pick up my responsibilities.  Help me to die to my flesh and choose responsibility over my rights.  You are a servant; make me one too.  I want to thank you for giving me clear thinking and a godly solution to this conflict.