Chill Or Kill?

Sunday January 25, 2015

American President Abraham Lincoln´s secretary of war, Edwin Stanton, was angered by an army officer who accused him of favouritism. Stanton complained to Lincoln, who suggested that Stanton write the officer a letter. Later, Stanton told the President he was ready to send the strongly worded letter. Lincoln said, "You don´t want to send that letter... Put it in the stove. That´s what I do when I have written a letter while I am angry. It´s a good letter, and you had a good time writing it and feel better. Now burn it, and write another."

David had every right to be angry. Falsely accused and slandered (Psalm 4:2), he could have written a sharp letter counterattacking his accusers. Instead, David brought his emotions and pain to God with a prayer expressing his quiet confidence in Him. Instead of retaliation, he chose silent reflection - redirecting his anger and calmly reflecting on God´s goodness and faithfulness (vv. 3-8).

Knowing that God had set him apart for godliness (v.3), David warned of the danger of being angry enough to seek revenge on those who slander us. "Don´t sin by letting anger control you. Think about it overnight and remain silent" is a radical therapy against impulsive anger (v.4). Angry feelings aren´t necessarily sinful, but letting anger control you invariably leads to grievous sins (Genesis 4:1-8; Ephesians 4:26-27). Elsewhere, David warned, "Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper - it only leads to harm" (Psalm 37:8).

Is it any wonder, then, that David was able to rejoice and could say, "In peace I will lie down and sleep" (4:7-8). We need to learn to apply David´s radical therapy (v.4), or as my daughter often says to me, "Chill, Dad. Chill." - K.T. Sim

Read
Psalm 4:1-8
Answer me when I call to you,
O my righteous God.
Give me relief from my distress;
be merciful to me and hear my prayer.

How long, O men, will you turn my glory into shame?
How long will you love delusions and seek false gods?
Know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself;
the Lord will hear when I call to him.

In your anger do not sin;
when you are on your beds,
search your hearts and be silent.
Offer right sacrifices
and trust in the Lord.

Many are asking, "Who can show us any good?"
Let the light of your face shine upon us, O Lord.
You have filled my heart with greater joy
than when their grain and new wine abound.
I will lie down and sleep in peace, 
for you alone, O Lord,
make me dwell in safety.

Genesis 4:1-8
Adam lay with his wife Eve, and she became pregnant and gave birth to Cain. She said, "With the help of the Lord I have brought forth a man." Later she gave birth to his brother Abel.
Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil. In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord. But Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.
Then the Lord said to Cain, "Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it."
Now Cain said this brother Abel, "Let´s go out to the field." And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.

Question to Ponder
Think of someone who has angered you. Reflect on Psalm 4 and see how it can help you respond to him/her biblically.
How does Jesus' example encourage you in your battle with anger?

**Article taken from ODJ (Our Daily Journey with God) Dec 2014 - Feb 2015

For Online Bible References : BibleGateway.com (Clickable link)