Love Is...Not Easily Angered

Angry people irk me. And they expose themselves for what they are. People who tend to 'blow up' over everything tend to do so at people they think they can control, not someone they think could match them in size or strength.

Even us. How often do we get frustrated with something going on in our lives and then turn around and yell at the kids for something little that they did. Something that on a good day would have been a minor inconvenience turns into an all-out confrontation.

Where's the love in that?

Angry people also resort to name calling and profanity. To me that always shows the weakness of their argument. If you can't make your case calmly and respectfully, your case can't stand on its own.

Don't get me wrong. There are moments when everyone gets angry. Even God gets angry. The Bible shows us many instances where the Lord's anger was kindled against people, sometimes those who wronged His people and sometimes His people when they were wrong. I'm sure He's had His share of times when He was mad a me. Thankfully the Bible also tells us that He is slow to anger (Numbers 14:18).

And we should be too.

When we're faced with situations that are difficult to handle, people who try us, we need to take a second and think. We need to handle with grace what needs to be dealt with. Even if it through prayer. Especially if it's through prayer. We don't need to hold our frustrations in and then take them out on those who deserve them least.

Besides, if we really understood God's take on those who are quick to get angry, we'd do it less often. Proverbs 29:11 tells us, "A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control." Over and over in Proverbs He calls the angry fools.

As the sayin' goes, 'mama didn't raise no fool.'

My world is still filled with fevers and coughs but one bit of fun did manage to slip in. Jon and Meredith did make it to the Father/Daughter dance that a local church sponsors each year. When they got home I asked her what they did. She said, "I didn't feel like dancing, but we sure did have fun with food!" When Meredith doesn't feel like dancing, you know she's been sick.

And don't forget about planning our menus.

Monday--baked chicken, sauteed spinach, rice consumme, rolls

Tuesday--potato soup, bacon sandwiches

Wednesday--ham, carrot casserole, field peas, cornbread

Thursday--hot dogs, mac & cheese, jello

Friday--meatloaf, stewed tomatoes & rice, rolls

Saturday--pizza

Sunday--leftovers