The Destruction of Anger

“It happened as they were coming, when David returned from killing the Philistine, that the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tambourines, with joy and with musical instruments. The women sang as they played, and said, ‘Saul has slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.’

Then Saul became very angry, for this saying displeased him; and he said, ‘They have ascribed to David ten thousands, but to me they have ascribed thousands. Now what more can he have but the kingdom?’ Saul looked at David with suspicion from that day on.

Now it came about on the next day that an evil spirit from God came mightily upon Saul, and he raved in the midst of the house, while David was playing the harp with his hand, as usual; and a spear was in Saul’s hand. Saul hurled the spear for he thought, ‘I will pin David to the wall.’ But David escaped from his presence twice.

Now Saul was afraid of David, for the LORD was with him but had departed from Saul.” 1 Samuel 18:6-12

Make note of how King Saul’s decline as anger gets the best of him.

When you find yourself angry, how do you deal with your anger? You have four basic avenues through which to channel your anger:

1. You can repress your anger and deny its presence. This is the most dangerous type of anger. It is oftentimes unconscious. It is anger turned inside.

2. You can suppress your anger. You are aware of it, but you hold it in.

3. You can express your anger. Many people are encouraged to “let it all out.” Unfortunately, others are often hurt by their thoughtless expressions of anger.

4. You can confess your anger and get rid of it. Confession should be made in three dimensions:
- Confession to God,
- Confession to yourself,
- Confession to the one with whom you have been angry.
Until you are willing to get rid of anger, it will eat inside like acid.

Do you get angry often? When you get angry, do you take a long time to make things right?