I remember, after being save at 18, that I really struggled with anger. My anger was always underneath. I was never a person that lashed out, however once the “tank was full” I could explode. I remember “hating” a lot of things and even people. I would “die” fighting on hills that were meaningless.

I see so much of this today. I don’t just see it with young head strong youths but with grown adults. There are so many places in Scripture that address the heart of anger and hate, however I’m going to share the Proverbs that helped me as a new Christian trying to manage my way into being more like Jesus. To tell you the truth, I still think of these verses often. In fact I am writing this post because they popped into my head this morning… Lo and behold, I needed to USE them in a few real life situations at work!

Proverbs 10:12
Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers all offenses.

Proverbs 25:21-23
21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,
22 for you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.
23 The north wind brings forth rain, and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.

Matthew 5:43-45
⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵ so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

These verses remind me that if I TRULY trust the Lord, then I can trust that His word is true. I can trust that loving is better than my anger. I can trust that by giving to “my enemy” I am putting more on their head than what my anger can do. Most importantly, I am trusting that by loving I am showing that I am a son of my heavenly Father. Hopefully this quick thought helps you navigate your day as the world constantly stirs our indignations into hate instead of love.

Soli Deo Gloria

Jesse Horne