“ ‘In your anger do not sin’: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.”
— Ephesians 4:26
Brianna was angry. She loaned her new bike to her best friend, who promised to take extra good care of it. It was returned bent and crumpled. Her best friend had left the bike in her driveway, where her dad backed his truck over it. The frame was bent, and the red paint was scratched. Even though her friend offered to get it fixed, Brianna was furious. She wanted to call her friend names and scream at her. Instead she bit her tongue. For an hour, Brianna ranted and raved to herself about her irresponsible friend. When she calmed down, she knew she had a decision to make. Would she punish her friend by venting her anger or giving her the silent treatment? Or would she forgive her and drop it? Brianna called her friend, made arrangements to get the bike fixed, talked about school for a few minutes, then hung up. She still hated that her bike was damaged, but she was glad she’d kept her friend.
Christians don’t lose their emotions when they get saved, but you don’t have to continue giving in to a bad temper. Ask God to change you from the inside out. He will!
More To Explore: Proverbs 14:29
Girl Talk: Has anger ever gotten the best of you? What could you have done instead of giving in to your anger?
God Talk: “Lord, I know I don’t always handle anger well. Please help me not to give in to my anger. I want to stay calm and forgiving, like you. Amen.”
From Shine On, Girl! by Kristi Holl