Anger

In Week 5 of Freedom From Emotional Eating, the subject of anger is discussed. God showed me that I had some anger issues that I had not dealt with.

When I went to food for emotional comfort, I suppressed alot of anger I had toward certain people. As God has delivered me from going to food for emotional comfort, the ugly monster of uncontrolled anger has risen up in my life. I found that I had been angry at some people who had mistreated me or my family, and the scary part was, it had been there for a long time.

By God's grace, I am dealing with my feelings of hurt and anger toward others. I am thankful that God revealed this to me. Many times, I don't see what is hurting me and keeping me from a stronger and more intimate relationship with my Lord. Thank God for the Holy Spirit and His delivering power. Without it, I would be most miserable.

The following are some excerpts from Week 5, Day 1 of Freedom From Emotional Eating:
When our eyes are on the faults of others, they are not on God. Do you ever worry about what the other person is getting away with? I think it helps to remember that the person we're angry with is God's responsibility. Someday he or she will have to answer to God for his or her actions. God does not call the people we are angry with to answer to us. (What a revelation that was to me!) If God is merciful, who are we to be unmerciful? We desperately need to forgive. God requires it of us.

This study has really inspired me to allow God to bring out any hidden sin in my life, including anger and unforgiveness. These are as dangerous as a loaded and cocked gun. Forgiveness doesn't make the other person right, it makes me free. (I am quoting from someone else, but this is so true.)

James 1:19-20, My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for a man's anger does not bring about the righteous life God desires.

I can only be slow to anger by yielding completely to the Holy Spirit, and I desire this above everything else. I want anything gone that hinders an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.