Words Matter: When Anger Speaks


Cousins
Pat Westbrook and Ronald Westbrook

     A bar of soap isn't an item many men would think to carry on a fishing trip. That was not true for my husband's cousin, Ronald. We were fishing at Lake of the Pines with Ronald's family and our family just for the day when, out of the blue, he jumped into the lake, clothes and all. With a bar of soap, he proceeded to bathe. In the past, when he dropped the soap and it sank, it made him angry. He found out if he used Ivory soap, he wouldn't have that problem because it would float. From our experience with him, we learned to take Ivory soap with us on camping trips. While the children stayed back at camp, lingering around the fire and talking, my husband and I would slip into our bathing suits, ease the boat into the lake, and dive into the cool water. Just like Ronald we had our bar of soap in hand to wash off the dust of the day.  The scent of pine and the soft echo of the children's laughter drifted across the water. 

  Words Matter: When Anger Speaks

Not only our bodies but our words can be dirty.

Usually, it's when one is overexcited and shirty.

The British word shirty perhaps is hard to understand.

Humans tend to have the same traits in every land.

It means to become angry, bad tempered, and more.

If left unchecked, it can cause problems galore.

God's word says anger if warranted has its place.

Just don't sin when you meet it face to face.

When anger rises, coming on strong and hot,

Obey his word whether you like it or not.  

                                       Patricia Westbrook

"In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry."  (Ephesians 4:26, NIV).



 

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