Anger comes when you don’t need it… and it is actually worse when you do need it. Today, I am going to write about men who made mistakes because of their anger. I’m not sure if any of them had time to eat chocolate, though. Hmm…. what was I writing about? Oh right, I am talking about Ghengis Khan and Alexander the Great. But before I talk about them, let us read the words below.
Ecclesiastes 7:9 “Do not be hasty in your spirit to be angry; for anger rests in the bosom of fools.”
Webmaster’s Note: This was written by Danielle Justine Gan a 14 year old girl who is passionate about writing for Christ.
Alright, I will explain later why I am writing this essay, but as of now, I will tell you about these men first. Oh, and also the reason I wanted you to read the verse above is because though these two men may be smart; they are fools. Alexander was a Grecian conqueror, who practically, took the known world then and made it into the greatest empire in the world. Alexander is a good example of the consequences of anger. He and his men were drinking wine and making jokes about their fellow Macedonians, those who died in battle between them and the “barbarians.”
Clitus, Alexander’s friend, didn’t think it right to make fun of them and expressed it publicly. Alexander teased him for such “cowardice,” at this both of them started a heated argument. The last of Alexander’s patience was thinning. It only broke when Clitus embarrassed Alexander’s reputation as an excellent fighter and leader. This ended with Alexander killing a long loyal friend with a spear. Once he realized what he did, Alexander cried that night and the next morning, and he did not stop until he had no more tears to shed.
Gengis Khan was a Mongolian ruler of a vast empire, but he had a problem with his temper. A good example to show that this is true comes from a story known as “The King and His Hawk.” In this amazing literature, which is retold by James Baldwin, Gengis Khan went out hunting with his hawk on a hot sunny day. Tired and thirsty, he started looking for a brook he saw last time. You see, he went here before. Well actually, a lot of times. Oh well, let’s continue the story. When he found the brook, he took a cup from his bag and filled it with water, may I mention he was getting the water between two high rocks.
When the cup was full, he lifted his hand to drink it, but the hawk flew by and knocked it out of his hands. This happened two more times.
Gengis Khan was very angry, that when he repeated filling his cup, knowing that the hawk will repeat its actions. He killed it with a sword that he held in his hand. His cup flew on top of the rocks, so he had to climb to retrieve it. When he reached the top he found the most poisonous snake lying in the water dead and oozing blood. When he realized what had happened, he instantly felt guilty and sad. He took his friend and brought it home to bury it.
Sometimes, we develop attitudes that harm us more than we could ever imagine. It hurts us so bad that it could never be healed or repaired. The most prominent attitude is rebelliousness. Since every person is born with hard headedness, it becomes much more important that we try to control ourselves. If we become rebellious, there will be consequences, bad ones. To help us to stop being rebellious, we have to be able to keep our temper in check. Keeping our temper under control will help us to yield down, and not make enemies. Do you know that being hot headed refrain other people from going near you?
That is sometimes the reason why it is hard for us to understand the person trying to help us, resulting in us being very rebellious and rude. Especially since experience is a VERY HARSH teacher. When I was young, my mother would always try to get me to improve my character. She especially tries to get me to control my temper, and to say words without making it sound rude. It’s very hard and I practically get annoyed almost every time. She always reminds me to watch my tongue and temper. It’s especially complicated since my temper always shift. From being happy, I become angry, and then I become gloomy. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. It just naturally happens… Until now actually.
Proverbs 25: 28 “Like a city that is broken into and without walls, is a man who has no control over his spirit.”
In Proverbs 25:28, which is written above, means (in my perspective) that if a person cannot control their temper, they will end up…. practically busted. Most likely, nobody would want to be with you, or help you for that matter. Sometimes they actually end up in jail. Well, not all of them but you should at least have heard of someone. Let’s just say that if you don’t control your temper, you end up practically in REALLY BIG TROUBLE. And don’t worry there is a twenty percent chance of you knowing someone, who knows someone, who has a cousin who knows someone who ended up in jail because of anger problems. Joke!
James 1:19-20 “So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath: For the wrath of man works not the righteousness of God.”
If you have the book Achieving True Success, then turn to page fifty one. This page talks about Meekness vs. Anger, which is very much related to the topic above. Meekness is yielding your personal rights and expectations, with a desire to serve.
If you are meek, you are strong, for you have won a battle within yourself that is more precious than rubies or gold.
– Danielle Justine Gan (another maxim from me)
Meekness, even if you don’t believe it, has rewards. These rewards are, becoming more understanding and gaining strength. You see, if you become understanding, there would be a greater possibility of avoiding unnecessary fights. Below are two stories. No three…. Well, actually, two and a half…. Just read.
First Story
One time, well just a few minutes ago, my sister came in my room while I was studying. I was really annoyed of course and asked very rudely what she wanted. She came in my room and told me she’s giving me something. We sat on the bed while she presented the gift. When she revealed it, I was happy but not enough to show it. It was a beautiful, fake, silver necklace, with a Papa Smurf pendant. I was so happy, that when she left I felt guilty. Until now I’m wearing it (Papa Smurf looks so cute!) and yes, I really need to apologize later for being rude.
Second story
John kissed Mary’s cheek. Instead of getting angry, Chad, Mary’s husband, asked who John was, and why John kissed Mary’s cheek (in a polite tone). Chad came to know, in a formal way, who John was and why. Which in this case, John is Mary’s younger cousin.
Third Story (Now if….)
Chad asked in a rude tone and let his conclusions get to him. John shouts at Chad. Chad and John will have a fight, and then John and Mary will explain to Chad that they are cousins.
Talk about embarrassing! So you see, understanding the situation would be best for everyone.
Now to talk about strength, when I say strength, I don’t entirely mean being buff and stuff. In the example of Chad and John, you saw one scene, but with two results. Why? It is because in the first scene, Chad kept his temper in check. That is the kind of strength I’m talking about, the ability to control the temper of oneself.
So that you can try to be meek, here is a list of “I wills”
(Founded in the book of achievements)….
1.) I will be slow to get angry.
2.) I will not boast.
3.) I will not grumble or complain.
4.) I will look for ways to help those in need.
5.) I will be willing to go last.
Job was a favoured character in the Bible. I always gave him some respect. After all, my cousin’s name is also Job. Anyway Job of the Bible, was a man who loved God and kept his temper in check. Even if he had leprosy and lost everything he had. In the end he was blessed with twice of what he had.
My Maxim ( I wrote it man! YA!)
People love a man of peace,
They tend to stay away from one with rage,
They bless those who controls themselves,
And have no fear to curse who don’t.
– Danielle Justine Gan
Mahatma Gandhi (Ouch! My mom’s hitting my arm in excitement.), was a “peace maker.” He wanted independence from the British, but peacefully. Though, a lot of his teaching ended in bloodshed, unintentional of course. The reason that this happened is because….
1.) He encouraged civil disobedience to their foreign rulers. Obviously, this will end up with them enraging the British instead.
2.) And also because Gandhi was not with God when he suggested this.
But like what I said before, peace makers, even “peace makers,” are always loved. Now if you want to know where THE Gandhi is, he’s dead, but if you want to meet Gandhi, he is in the hearts and minds of many Indians. Because of trying to make peace, he became their national hero.
Now William Carey, who was also a peace maker of India, was a preacher of the Bible. He translated the bible into forty languages or dialects, possibly more. He is known as the “Father of Modern Missions.” Unlike Gandhi, he fought for God, peacefully, and succeeded, why? Because….
1.) He was doing it for the Lord and not himself.
2.) He did not need independence because he was already free, but he wanted to help the Indians from their false and wrong belief.
3.) He trusted the Lord to do his will, his motto is actually, “Attempt great things for God; expect great things from God.”
So you see, doing things for Jehovah has a good, and a great, cause. Getting angry is alright, but only if it is because someone offended the Lord. In other words, it is more of being indignant. In the Bible, Jesus was indignant twice.
The first time was when he went inside the temple and saw that the temple was being used as a market place. He was so angry that he actually destroyed the stores and let the doves go free. This story can be found in Mark 11: 15-19. The second time was when his disciples tried to shoo away the children that wanted to and see Jesus. He told his disciples to let them come to him, and said in Mark 10:15, “Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” So it alright to be angry, that is for the right reasons.
