Contain Yourself!

I often wonder how many murderers sitting in prison today wish they had that one day to live over again. How many wish they could have a do over? As they look back on that day and consider how they could’ve contained themselves better so the crime would have never taken place. A major contributor to murder is uncontrolled anger.

You might say, well I’ve never killed anybody, I have control over my anger! But, how many times have you, in your anger, said things you wish you had never said? How many times have you done something to someone you wish you could take back? How many times have you wished you had contained yourself better and just walked away and taken a breath?

The first murder recorded in the Bible was a result of uncontrolled anger. We read: “So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast” (Genesis 4:5 NIV). The LORD quickly set out to correct the situation before it became volatile by providing a means of escape for Cain: “The LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it” (vv. 6-7).

The LORD warned Cain that sin was crouching at his life’s door desiring to be loosed so it could rule over him. As I look back at my life, I see many times when I had an opportunity to take the right action but opted for what was wrong. As a result, I said or did something that brought regret later. You have probably done the same thing in your life at some point in time?

Paul warns us to take control over our anger. In Ephesians 4:26-27, he tells us: “Be angry and do not sin. Don’t let the sun go down on your anger, and don’t give the Devil an opportunity” (NIV). While he doesn’t condemn our bouts of anger, he does warn us to contain it; otherwise, it will control us. When we allow anger to take control over our lives, we give the devil an open opportunity to control us and from that sin will spring forth which will lead to great regret at a later point.

As Cain was sent out as a wanderer, how often did he wish he had contained himself better and followed the warning of the LORD? How many nights did he sit by the fire crying over the damage created by his choice to allow sin have dominion over him? Maybe you are reading this and reflecting upon something you have done that you wish you could take back—something said, something done? Maybe you need to seek forgiveness from someone today? Maybe you need to get things right?

I encourage you to find peace in your heart and life by taking care of the past wrongs you have committed. And, as you move forward in life, learn to contain yourself and take authority over your anger to prevent yourself from doing things you will regret later.