Dealing with Anger

When you are disturbed,
do not sin;
ponder it on your beds,
and be silent.
-Psalm 4:4

In Psalm 4, David the psalmist/king finds himself trembling with anger over heart-ripping insults to his honor. So he reminds himself of God's way in such an emotional situation.

When your life reaches the boiling point, it's easy to explode. To let all that pent up emotion shoot out like shrapnel, potentially wounding others in its path.

When your life is filled with distress and disappointment, causing anger, that's understandable. It's human to feel emotion. Don't hide it. Don't deny it. Recognize it, and deal with it.

How should we deal with it? The psalmist says, "when you are disturbed, do not sin." In other words, avoid expressing your anger in a way that could hurt yourself or others. And take some positive steps: Meditate. Rest. Take a break. Think it through. Pray about it. Be still.

You can move from anger to stillness through active meditation. Talk with God about what's making you angry. Find out from God what to do to change the situation-or to change your heart.