Born With OR Learned - Anger
Why are bad habits so hard to break up with?! Why are good habits so easy to let go of?!
Proverbs 22:24-25 "Do not make friends with a hot tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared."
I am sure you have heard the saying, "you become like those you hang around with", right? I learned an interesting fact not to long ago. We ALL dream, hope, and believe that WE can be the ones that remain strong, determined, assured in our position on things - right?! Well, it truly doesn't take much to knock off us our pedestal! It is WAY easier to get knocked off of a high place, then it is to stand firm up there. That is, if you are alone.
Bad morals corrupt good standards - for sure!! The lesson I learned with an experiment with some friends, was on a rock. Not that high of one (just in case lol) - but a high enough place that it was a hard thing to climb up and or jump down. We learned that strength and size just do not matter. If you are standing up on a rock and someone down below doesn't want you on that rock - they CAN pull you down WAY easier than you can pull them up! Sad, but oh so true!
When we hang around people that have a potty mouth - what happens? Next thing you know, we are using fowl language. Oh maybe not out loud at first, but in our head. However, the words will come out at the VERY worst possible time! This is what the verse means, that "we will learn their ways". It becomes a practice, a habit, even routine.
If you look at little kids playing for the first time with other kids - you get a slight glimpse into what they are like at home. How their family behaves together. What is or is not allowed behind closed doors. Do I believe that "anger" is learned - you betcha! Do I also believe that it is something in us, in our human nature - yup! We CAN learn to control ourselves. Sure it takes time and practice to break bad habits. However, if and when we make a decision to change - THAT is when change happens.
Funny how a bad habit seems SO hard to break, and yet so easily able to slip back into even when a good habit has taken it's place! I chalk that up to our human sinful nature. My belief on anger is that it is both learned and born into us. The only way I have seen success in breaking the habit of reacting to things in anger - is by allowing Jesus to take control. One of the fruits of the Spirit is self-control. But it is not easily attainable on our own. It is a power that can only be tapped in to when we ask for the help and control.
If you are having trouble with hanging around people that have bad habits, and you want to "help them" or you think you can "change them" - you are wrong! Get new friends! Start with the best one ever - Jesus!! :-) I'll be praying for you today, that you be on the alert for the things that people do around you. I will be praying for your light to shine brighter than any darkness that may be around you! Be well, be blessed, and be safe!
Proverbs 22:24-25 "Do not make friends with a hot tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared."
I am sure you have heard the saying, "you become like those you hang around with", right? I learned an interesting fact not to long ago. We ALL dream, hope, and believe that WE can be the ones that remain strong, determined, assured in our position on things - right?! Well, it truly doesn't take much to knock off us our pedestal! It is WAY easier to get knocked off of a high place, then it is to stand firm up there. That is, if you are alone.
Bad morals corrupt good standards - for sure!! The lesson I learned with an experiment with some friends, was on a rock. Not that high of one (just in case lol) - but a high enough place that it was a hard thing to climb up and or jump down. We learned that strength and size just do not matter. If you are standing up on a rock and someone down below doesn't want you on that rock - they CAN pull you down WAY easier than you can pull them up! Sad, but oh so true!
When we hang around people that have a potty mouth - what happens? Next thing you know, we are using fowl language. Oh maybe not out loud at first, but in our head. However, the words will come out at the VERY worst possible time! This is what the verse means, that "we will learn their ways". It becomes a practice, a habit, even routine.
If you look at little kids playing for the first time with other kids - you get a slight glimpse into what they are like at home. How their family behaves together. What is or is not allowed behind closed doors. Do I believe that "anger" is learned - you betcha! Do I also believe that it is something in us, in our human nature - yup! We CAN learn to control ourselves. Sure it takes time and practice to break bad habits. However, if and when we make a decision to change - THAT is when change happens.
Funny how a bad habit seems SO hard to break, and yet so easily able to slip back into even when a good habit has taken it's place! I chalk that up to our human sinful nature. My belief on anger is that it is both learned and born into us. The only way I have seen success in breaking the habit of reacting to things in anger - is by allowing Jesus to take control. One of the fruits of the Spirit is self-control. But it is not easily attainable on our own. It is a power that can only be tapped in to when we ask for the help and control.
If you are having trouble with hanging around people that have bad habits, and you want to "help them" or you think you can "change them" - you are wrong! Get new friends! Start with the best one ever - Jesus!! :-) I'll be praying for you today, that you be on the alert for the things that people do around you. I will be praying for your light to shine brighter than any darkness that may be around you! Be well, be blessed, and be safe!
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