Overcome anger to Overpower sickness
We read in Psalm 91:10, “So nothing bad will happen to you. No diseases will come near your home.” (ERV)
We need to ponder on this blessed promise of God that is available to us His children. We studied earlier that this promise is applicable to those who according to Psalm 91:9 have made God their dwelling place. This is God’s assurance to those who are completely dependent on God at all times and in all situations. To such, no evil will befall them and there is the guarantee that no diseases will come near their homes. However, this will only be appropriated in the lives of those who hear the word of God and are willing to trust His word implicitly.
Researchers on human health have discovered that 75-90% of sicknesses are often related to mental stress. Especially during this season of pandemic, there is a prevalent sense of fear that has gripped the hearts of many people globally. Medical Professionals advice that if people can build up a strong immunity that it is possible to fight off this virus. If this is the case, we will deal with some of these stress issues in this study and try to understand how we can overcome these pressures on the basis of God’s word.
For instance someone who holds a grudge or has hatred against another for a long time and fumes every time they set their eyes on them, should not be surprised if they end up with stomach ulcers. There are those who will be easily offended by the things other’s say and others who are constantly anxious and fearful about various situations. Such people will experience increased heart rate, which will often result in them having hyper tension. The reason I am explaining this in detail is to help us realize that many of the sicknesses that our bodies get inflicted with are frequently related to our own mental and emotional state.
I was chatting with a doctor friend who told me that in recent times many of the patients who come for consultation have strange symptoms. They complain of intense discomfort, but after several medical investigations it is proved that there is nothing apparently wrong with them. The reason for these physical ailments she said was often related to some unresolved issues in their lives. She further told me that a casual talk with them revealed the fact that most of them were challenged with difficulties either in their family or work place which displayed itself in the form of some bodily ailment.
There are several issues that contribute to our maladies and we will consider one which is extremely crucial in this study.
The problem of anger
We read in Proverbs 14:29, “If you stay calm, you are wise, but if you have a hot temper, you only show how stupid you are.” (GNB)
Anger is a serious concern for many who are struggling with the same. Often when anger is intense, they will blurt out things that they never really intended to say. There is a story told of the owner of a huge company who was a hot tempered man, and when he got mad, he would fire anyone who annoyed him ever so slightly. Knowing his temperament most of the staff stayed clear off his path. However, one day as he entered the company, he saw a young man at the entrance who was deeply engrossed with his mobile phone. As staff had been warned to not use their mobiles during working hours, he was infuriated at this sight and asked the young man what his salary was per month. On finding out from the young man that he received a salary of Rupees 8000 per month, the owner sacked him immediately by issuing a check for rupees twenty-four thousand, as a compensation for three months. Unable to get in a word to this angry man, the young man hesitatingly walked out with the check in his hand. A couple of hours later when the owner had cooled down, the manager approached him and explained to him that the young man to whom he had issued the check was just a courier boy who had come to deliver a parcel and he was not an employee in the company. It may sound hilarious, but it is a fact that we will be the losers if we do not keep our temper under control. This sort of a financial loss may be amendable, but there are other consequences to unrestrained anger.
In Job 5:2 we read, “A fool's anger will kill him.” (ERV)
There are some who when they are mad with someone will have no control of their emotions and will fling anything that is in their hands. Someone shared an incident where the husband of the family got so furious one day that he threw down and destroyed their newly purchased television set, which they had taken much effort to buy. Anger as we see can be destructive and if not controlled will certainly result in huge loss. There is always a chance that we can replace material things when they are broken. However, the words that are blurted out in anger can be so hurtful and cause deep hurts that will not be healed easily. When words are used without caution, they have the power to break-down relationships.
Why does one get angry?
1. When treated unfairly
Generally one will get angry when they are treated unjustly or if they in some way sense that that there is injustice meted out to them. In a family for instance, the child is given a mobile these days to join in for on line classes. The parents notice that the child instead of studying is engrossed with games. The parents decide to take the cell phone away from the child to teach discipline. To the child this may seem unfair and he or she may be annoyed with the parents. The child may even consider that their parents are killjoys for doing so. It is a natural response for anyone to be enraged when we are treated unjustly. Nonetheless, the way we express that anger and handle the situation will determine if it is sinful or not.
· The way David handled injustice
We read in 2 Samuel 16:5-7, “When King David arrived at Bahurim, one of Saul's relatives, Shimei son of Gera, came out to meet him, cursing him as he came. Shimei started throwing stones at David and his officials, even though David was surrounded by his men and his bodyguards. Shimei cursed him and said, "Get out! Get out! Murderer! Criminal!” (GNB)
In this incident while David was the King of Israel, still on the throne, his own son Absalom schemed and confiscated the throne of his father. As David fled from Absalom, he is surrounded by valiant men who are his officials. As they are in flight, a man named Shimei, a relative of King Saul cursed King David and threw stones at David and his men. The situation that David found himself in was one of total injustice and David’s warriors suggested that they kill Shimei. But let’s listen to David’s counsel to his men in the verse below.
David said to his men in 2 Samuel 16:10 "This is none of your business," the king said to Abishai and his brother Joab. "If he curses me because the LORD told him to, who has the right to ask why he does it?" (GNB)
David did not permit his men to do any harm to Shimei though it was in their power to do so. As one who always looked to the Lord, David understood that without God’s permission nothing would transpire in his life. David perceived that if God had allowed this kind of insults to be hurled on him, it would at some point turn out for his own good.
Oftentimes we get so outraged by things people have said or done to us. We harbor these bitter feelings in our hearts, it will erupt unexpectedly and instead of affecting the person who did harm this anger will be vented out on the wrong people. The consequence we will face are broken relationships, loss of peace with no bearing whatsoever on the one who actually hurt us. The aftermath of uncontrolled anger will be experienced solely by the one who unleashes it. Over a period of time, such a person will be referred to as an angry person, as every little issue will be a cause for them to lose their cool.
Let’s see what happened to Shimei a few years down the line.
We read in 2 Samuel 19:18-19, “They crossed the river to escort the royal party across and to do whatever the king wanted. As the king was getting ready to cross, Shimei threw himself down in front of him and said, "Your Majesty, please forget the wrong I did that day you left Jerusalem. Don't hold it against me or think about it any more.” (GNB)
As David returned back to regain his kingdom, Shimei met David, payed obeisance and begged for him to have mercy on him.
To those who insult us or treat us improperly, if like David we are willing to let the Lord avenge, in due course they too will approach us with a penitent and submissive heart. That is the justice God will give to us for being willing to bear unfair reproach and acknowledge His Lordship over every difficult situation that we encounter.
2. When we feel powerless and helpless
Sometimes when people are entangled in circumstances that are beyond their control, there is a sense of helplessness that engulfs them and this infuriates them.
· What David did when he felt powerless
We read in 1 Samuel 21:10, “So David left, fleeing from Saul, and went to King Achish of Gath.” (GNB)
In this event recorded in 1 Samuel 21, David fled from King Saul and sought refuge with King Achish of Gath. The people of Gath recognized David to be the mighty man of valor who was next in line to be king of Israel. However, when David was brought before King Achish, he realized that the king when informed of this could put him to death. Here’s what David did.
We read in 1 Samuel 21:13, “So whenever David was around them, he pretended to be insane and acted like a madman when they tried to restrain him; he would scribble on the city gates and let spit drool down his beard.” (GNB)
David feigned himself mad and put on an act like a madman every time he was around the people. King Achish was so convinced that David was indeed insane that he sent him away from his presence and did not bother about him at all. David was not a simple man, he was a man of great fortitude, the one who had killed the mighty Goliath. However, in that situation where he was defenseless, at the mercy of an alien king, he decided to humble himself and acted like a lunatic.
Hear the words of David in Psalm 34:1, “I will always thank the LORD; I will never stop praising him.” (GNB)
In times when we feel vulnerable and incompetent, may we too like David praise the Lord instead of giving room for wrath.
3. When our expectation are not fulfilled
There are those who are resolute that the things they have planned should materialize the exact way they want it to. Often, when there are hindrances to these plans, they will be enraged.
· When things didn’t go as David planned
Here’s another event from the life of David that will encourage us to know how David handled such situations. During the reign of King David, his own son Absalom, plotted and usurped the throne of his father David. David did not get bitter or indignant with his son. As a result of Absalom’s plot, there was a war between David’s men and Absalom’s men. Here’s the plea of David to his mighty men before they waged war, that they should spare his son Absalom and not kill him in battle. Wistfully, in that battle, Absalom was killed by David’s men. Though what David planned and what eventuated were in contradiction, this was David’s response.
We read in 2 Samuel 19:4, “The king covered his face and cried loudly, "O my son! My son Absalom! Absalom, my son!"” (GNB)
David did not get enraged with his men, but instead he grieved for the loss and wept for his son.
There are many who are harboring anger in their hearts over various issues. It may not seem obvious to us, but often it is evident to those who come in contact with us. This anger could be over unfair treatment or those helpless situations or any unfulfilled expectations. No matter what, if we can understand that God is in control over our lives and He can intervene to change every situation, we can definitely be rid of all our anger. If we do not deal with the issues that troubled us and allow them to surface in our memories, we will be giving room for anger in our hearts. This anger will become a habit and people will brand us as an angry person. Generally people avoid those who are irate for fear of confrontation with them.
If anger is our problem, may we plead with the Lord to deal with this and replace it with a spirit of peace and calmness. During this season of pandemic, many are challenged with circumstances that seem to be way beyond our control. There are myriad issues in the family and at work. Many things we planned and hoped for have come crashing to the ground. Instead of suppressing all these feelings inside and harboring anger, let us confess them to the Lord and permit Him to take over. If we can find serenity in the presence of God, we will also find health and healing for many of our physical ailments as well. If anger is our struggle, may God help us to deal with the same, so we can be rid of it. Let us abide in the presence of God and enjoy the peace, tranquility and well-being that He alone can give.
Pastor F. Andrew Dixon
www.goodnewsfriends.net
Transcribed by Sis. Esther Collins
