Scripture for Today:  James 1:19-20  “…But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.”

There are all kinds of pressure gauges connected to our heating system.  Our house is over a hundred years old and uses an older method of heating.  Each room has radiators.  The water for the system is heated in our basement and pressurized.  The water pump pushes the water where it needs to go.

Those pressure gauges are important to keep at the correct readings.  Too much pressure can be dangerous and blow the entire system.  The whole idea makes me nervous.  I do not touch any of it.  It is something I happily leave to my husband and landlord to regulate.

My anger can be like that pressure gauge.  Unchecked, it can increase to dangerous levels.  If I do not take care of it, I can explode and do damage to those I love most.  My anger can even be justified at times, at least in my own thinking.  But justified or not, it will surely produce negative consequences.

Our verse for today warns that man’s anger does not achieve the righteousness of God.  Blowing up does not improve or make right a situation.  More often, anger only clouds the issue.  Anger hurts others and hurts one’s own reputation.  It feels good to let it fly, but I will be the one who looks the fool (Eccl. 7:9)

Listening and keeping my mouth shut can go a long way toward slowing down my anger.  If it does not build too quickly, there is more of a chance to diffuse it.  It is a choice to allow that needle to enter the danger zone.

Lord, help me give my anger to You.