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Pastor's Perspective // CV19 Week 7
“Anger is an acid that can do more harm to the vessel in which it is stored than to anything on which it is poured.”
Mark Twain
"I get so angry when you do that!”, “I can’t believe you didn’t remember to….”, “Why don’t you listen?” “Just forget it, I’ll do it myself” “Sometimes I wonder why I married you…”
 How’s it going with you, in your home, in your marriage, with your kids? One of the consequences of the added stress these covid19 virus restrictions bring is anger in its many forms. Outbursts, silent treatment, passive aggressive, accusations, demeaning statements, sarcasm, may make YOU feel better, but they also make the situation WORSE. I’ve heard that a cornered animal will always attack in order to defend itself, and these isolations, fears, cautions, distancing, and inconveniences all can add up to feeling cornered. So we too often lash out at those closest to us. So, take a deep breath. Count to 10. Walk away and ask if hurting the ones who love you most is the best course of action. EVERYONE is stressed. NO ONE is unaffected by this – from the isolated seniors to the children kept from their playground.
Reflecting on what it looks like to be Spirit-led, or to walk in the Spirit may help. The evidence of which is “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Ephes 5:22-23). I have no business pointing fingers at others as I too feel the stress of the moment and can easily give in to outbursts of anger and go on the attack. God help me. Help me reflect the character of Christ. Help me love instead of accuse. Help me show patience rather than hostility, gentleness instead of harshness, kindness instead of disregard, peace instead of irritability, and self-control instead of lashing out. We are in this world, but not of this world any longer. We have a kingdom that cannot be shaken, a God who is unfazed, a Lord who governs all, and an ever-present Spirit in us.  The Scripture offers us guidance with our anger:
< >James 1:19 “You must understand this, my dear brothers. Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.”1Timothy 2:8 “Therefore, I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without being angry or argumentative.”Ephesians 4:26 "Be angry, yet do not sin." Do not let the sun set while you are still angry” 
A final thought on anger attributed to Aristotle – “Anybody can become angry - that is easy, but to be angry with the right person and to the right degree and at the right time and for the right purpose, and in the right way - that is not within everybody's power and is not easy.”
 
Grace and Peace, Pastor Tom 

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