A Destructive Habit

Posted on February 5, 2015

 

by  Gary Chester Morse (1945-2010)
Although my Dad was a really good man, he passed along to me an anger habit.  Even after I became a whole-hearted follower of Christ, the stronghold consistently dogged me and damaged my relationships.
by  Gary Chester Morse (1945-2010)
Upon each recurrence I'd always be remorseful, but I'd still struggle with anger much more than what I desired (Romans 7:15-16).  What brought things to a head was a blow-up in which I verbally assaulted my two step-sons.   At that moment, God convicted me of my dire need for a radical solution.

God's solution turned out to be in a book, The Anger Workbook*.  I took from it five truths that I have made an integral part of me.  I periodically review these truths to try to make sure they stay a part of me. 

Here are two of the five truths:

1) It is okay for someone, even close family members, to disagree with me in preference and opinion, even if I think them to be wrong.  Guess what?  I sometimes even learn something from asking questions from the other person's perspective.

2) I don't criticize when someone messes up.  I mean, why would it be my place to rub it in?

Here is the hopeful news.  Even if you grew up in an anger-driven environment, you --  under the empowerment of God's Holy Spirit and with the help of a close accountability friend or two -- can triumph an anger habit that can destroy good relationships.
   
*The Anger Workbook by Les Carter and Frank Minirth.

www.menwhowin.com - Gary has eight minute podcasts that provide helpful, practical solutions to overcoming anger.  Look for "Overcoming Anger" on the right side of the www.menwhowin.com


 


Go back