Blessed are the Peacemakers

The last two weeks, we've been talking about anger at our beginners' English club. We have been discussing three main Bible verses:

1) "So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God." - James 1:19-20
2) "'Be angry, and do not sin': do not let the sun go down on your wrath" - Ephesians 4:26
3) "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger" - Proverbs 15:1

And wouldn't you know, over the last two weeks, my temper has been a little hotter than normal.

Usually, I really don't have that much of a temper, but as soon as I began encouraging people to "be swift to hear and slow to speak," or to "give a soft answer," I began to struggle to do those things.

It's so easy to tell other people to "be slow to wrath," and to "not let the sun go down on their wrath," but when faced with my own anger, it feels so incredibly difficult. Usually, it's not that hard for me to apologize quickly, or to just let things go. But the last couple weeks, everything seems to turn into a fight in my mind, and I've really been struggling to let things go. Little things, big things, I've just been ready to fight.


And, I know, this desire to fight, this behavior of not turning the other cheek, is absolutely sin.


I hate who I become when I'm angry. It makes me feel out of control. It robs me of my joy. It makes me feel really isolated too. Anger isn't a good thing. It's the total antithesis of the Fruits of the Spirit. When I'm angry, I'm not being self-disciplined, I'm not being loving, I'm not being peaceful, I'm not being joyful, I'm not being gentle, I'm not being kind... and the list goes on.

I can't think of a single good thing that comes from being angry. You never hear about wars being started because two countries love each other so much. You never hear about marriages being saved because the wife finally decides to be furious with her husband 100% of the time. Being angry isn't good. And, I obviously know that, but sometimes I'm just too much of a knucklehead to let go of my anger, ask for forgiveness, and repent.

Today, Byron and I were talking, and he pointed out that I've been particularly angry this week. And of course, by him pointing this out, I became particularly angry at him. But, deep down inside, I knew that he was right, and that I just needed to spend some time in the Word, apologize, and get over myself.

I decided to title this post "Blessed are the Peacemakers" because I really do want to be a peacemaker. I want to seek after being like Jesus, and I want to stop being angry, which I think stems from me being prideful and selfish (Since moving to Ukraine, I've learned that I really struggle with these two things).

So, for this next week, my prayer is that I'll be a peacemaker, and that I'll take my own advice, and start being a little slower when it comes to "speaking out" and feeling angry or "wrathful." Next time I post on here, I'll let you know how I'm doing : )

And if anger is something you struggle with, like I have been recently, I really encourage you to just pray about it. After being angry off and on for the last couple weeks, I can assure you, you are gaining nothing from being angry, and I really encourage you to let go of whatever you're so upset about. Our lives are short, and we can't waste what little time we have on being angry.

Blessings,
Emily