Anger

By Paula Williamson guest writer

I wonder if we learn poor boundaries in preschool, where we are taught to just be friends with everyone. Would we tell a friend to befriend someone who treats them poorly? I think not! Why would we teach children to do so? If you want to give your kids a good foundation or to live a healthy life, good boundaries are important. The truth is, we can walk away from anyone who is treating us poorly. We do not have to respond in the same way, and we can pray for them, but we do not have to be their best friend. Scripture supports healthy boundaries.

It Is Written

PROVERBS 22:24 -25 " Do not make friends with an angry man, or go with a hot-tempered man, or you will learn his ways and find a snare for yourself".

Self-Control

Self-control is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. Inability to control one’s temper is a red flag behavior. It does not end well for that person or those around them. There are plenty of online resources that teach impulse control. I think that if we all began walking away from those with toxic and abusive behaviors, they might have to change. There is only one Savior, and we are not Him. We can pray for those who hurt us, but we do not have to allow them to hurt us. There are many free resources, an article titled “Anger” by Dr. Norman Coad, and books for all ages titled “What to Do with BIG Emotions” at www.coadwordbooks.com 

Prayer

Lord, I thank You for the healthy boundaries You have set in Your world, which teach us wisdom for life. I ask You to remove anything we have grown up believing that is not true. I ask that You help us teach our children healthy boundaries that do not set them up for pain and heartache later in life. Give us a hunger and thirst for Your world.

Takeaway

Angry people are not good friends.