A recent study conducted has shown that heightened anger physically affects
one's ability to be rational. When we are angry or fearful, our adrenaline
flows faster and our strength increases by about 20 percent. The liver,
pumping sugar into the bloodstream, demands more oxygen from the heart and
lungs. The veins become enlarged and the blood supply to the
problem-solving part of the brain is severely decreased because, under
stress, a greater portion of blood is diverted to the body's extremities.
George Odiarne, a management consultant, says, "This is an emotional
condition that the person is in, and it means that, while he's beautifully
equipped for a brawl, he's very poorly equipped to get a problem solved".
Interesting findings, don't you think? The author of Proverbs, however,
recognized the effects of anger long before any scientific studies were
conducted, and he paints a beautiful portrait of anger in reference to the
Christian. Proverbs 14:29 states, "He who is slow to anger is of great
understanding," but on the other side of the scale, Proverbs 25:28 says,
"Like a city that is broken into and without walls is a man who has no
control over his spirit." Our God is patient with us when we are angry and,
as a result, are led to sin. The apostle Paul also understood the dangers
of anger when he said in Ephesians 4:26 "Be angry, but do not sin."
It is easy for Satan to use our emotions against God and others, which is why Paul also instructs us to "not give the devil a foothold." Today, let's make a
commitment to put away angry thoughts or feelings and live the obedient,
rational-thinking life God has called us into.
