1 Corinthians 13:5 *"...Love is not easily angered,...*"
*LOVE IS NOT EASILY ANGERED*
Getting angry easily can be likened to a thermometer device. A thermometer reacts to the temperature in its environment. When the environment is hot, it gets hot but when the environment gets cold, it becomes cold.
That is unlike a thermostat which sets the temperature. It is not influenced by the temperature in its environment. No matter what happens in the room, it brings the room back to the right setting. That is how true love is- it is a thermostat, it doesn't get angry easily. Love sets the temperature of the room, it doesn't allow the room set its temperature.
Some of us are thermometers in relationships. Someone shouts, we shout. Someone offends, we explode. Someone ignores, we withdraw. We even threaten to display "madness" to our colleagues at work, neighbours and even to our spouses.
When we say love is not easily angered, what do we really mean? It simply means what it says- love does not get angry quickly at any slight provocation. Some carry ready-made anger around waiting for the slightest provocation. They are short fused.
Proverbs 14:29 says, *“Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding*".
We live in a world where offence moves around. Sometimes, it comes through those closest to us, those we trust, and that is painful but love may get offended but will not become offensive. That is, love is slow to react to offenses. Some carry wounds from past hurts around and they have become offensive to everyone around them because they refuse to heal.
*Some singles have become offensive because of bottled up anger nd hurts from past heart breaks. They react unknowingly to little things. Some carry this attitude into marriage. Their spouse tries to show love but they see it as an attack*.
At the root of anger is pride, fear and exhaustion. Anger is only symptom. "How dare you talk to me like that"? That is anger expressing pride. When ego is bruised, anger is displayed. "If I don't show them madness, they'll cheat me"- that is anger expressing fear. When exhausted, anger speaks without thinking.
James 1:19 says *"Be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to become angry*".
The problem is we reverse it in moments of anger: we speak quickly and slow to listen. That is why it is better to keep mute when provoked because you may regret saying those words when your head cools.
Wisdom demands you don't talk in haste when provoked. Sometimes, you just need to walk way from the scene of provocation. Always seek to discover the root or triggers of provocation and deal with it instead of reacting.
Lastly, anger is controlled by a demon. Some get angry like they are having a temporary mental disturbance and then become normal after exploding. They damage things in moments of anger only to realize the extent of their damage much later.
If that describes you, cast out that demon from your life and be alert against its manifestation in your life.
Father, teach me to love like you. I cast out the demon of anger and rage living in me in Jesus name.