The Well, Wise Men, and Anger

"What's down in the well, comes up in the bucket." 

This saying pops into my head more often that I'd like to admit. I usually hear it after I have behaved badly.

A few weeks ago I was feeling pretty angry. OKAY out of body experience angry. I was quite certain my anger was justified. So... I  let my husband and son have it. And..they took it. Not a word came back to me in the heat of my moment. 

Wise men. Two very wise men. 

I was looking for a fight and I didn't get it. I was MAD. I had reason to be "mildly annoyed" BUT my reaction was sinful (and definitely overblown).

Anger is a signal something is wrong and it needs to be fixed. 

Anger, a God-given emotion, is the emotion that identifies a problem. It is a very poor solution to an issue. In fact, I wonder when my outbursts have ever made something better. (Never) They make it worse. 

I've heard people say, "God gets angry. Jesus got mad." Well..true but I know I can't put my temper into the same category as the Lord's. My anger most often isn't righteous anger on behalf of a Holy God or another person. My anger tends to be motivated by feelings of offense or injustice toward one person... ME.  

I must begin with responding not reacting. 

I need to start with a description of the problem and then provide a possible solution; rather than react with big emotion that actually clouds the problem. Isn't it better to get to the solution side of an issue instead of blow off some steam? Yes, is the answer. 

I have to reap the consequences of my angry actions. 

So yes, I did apologize and ask for forgiveness. I do plan on not sinning in my anger. I am praying for a filling of good things in  my "well."

And... my two Wise Men have turned into the two Wise Guys. I am enduring some well deserved teasing which will morph into a favorite family story at some point. My outburst will go down in infamy.

HA. HA. HA. 

In your anger do not sin. 

Ephesians 4:26