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Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Colossians 3:12 ESV
Have you ever said, “That person makes me mad?”
The person didn’t make you mad, you made yourself mad. Others can’t make you upset unless you allow their actions to flip your “anger switch.”
You have a bad day. Your computer decided to reboot and then finalize the upgrades with a blue screen. The technician was called, curses uttered, and then prayers of lifelong vows to God – that the computer would fix itself.
The deadlines for which you need a computer creep closer, and the technician just smiles while uttering, “Shouldn’t be too much longer.”
At this moment your boss walks into your office with another job assignment.
You might have to explain later to your spouse why you need to apply for unemployment, “Sorry, he just made me mad.” An inadequate explanation and unfair. Your anger shouldn’t be blamed on the computer, the technician, or your boss.
You – yes, you – have an anger problem.
We all have an anger switch. Every meek and mild professing Christian who has read every self-help book on passive behavior can be just one flip of the switch from a relational nuclear explosion!
Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Colossians 3:13
Emotions build then explode unreasonably. Too often we deal with anger by keeping silent. Perhaps we fire sarcastic fusillades in brief bursts during meetings or in retort to the comments of others.
All the while the emotions build, then something or someone flips the switch!
What would happen if we rewired what the switch turns on?
And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. Colossians 3:14-15
It is possible – all things are possible with God. You agree with the Spirit who convicts you of anger. Then you confess this anger and ask for help.
I know that your “switch” can be changed to turn on patience, forgiveness, love, and peace. You deal with your anger by the power of God’s Spirit.
The next time your computer acts up, what if…
…your pent-up frustration with technology and your father who didn’t love you, along with COVID, your boss, your lack of diet, and life’s injustices, combined with frustrations with spouse and all of humankind…
…don’t lie behind your switch when your son asks for help with his homework?
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom… and whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:16-17
Sure, Nathan, let me first switch off this computer. I need a break from it anyway!