I read through the list of words associated with makrothymeō and the slow to anger hit a nerve.  I saw the words and knew I needed to explore this deeper.  

Let’s look at two Scenarios

Example 1

A microscopic invader slipped into the soft flesh of the oyster. The mollusk releases a secretion of calcium carbonate that covers the irritant. Over and over the secretion is released until a small ball forms.   The oyster creates a pearl from the grain of irritation— an objected valued for its beauty and rareness.

Example 2

Microscopic grains collect in the air. Particle after particle accumulates in a building.  The potential for dangers grows. A spark or the slightest ignition source and the result is an explosion which destroys every thing in the area. Those grains which individually can barely be seen together act like a bomb of mighty proportions.

People deal with anger in similar ways I think.

• The hot tempered ones who blow up over a situation.  They fire off with anger.  Words are said.  They pop off like a firecracker.

• The slow boiling ones who collect all the wrongs until the moment when they explode as if a bomb detonated.

• Those who recognize the irritation and take appropriate protective behaviors to reduce anger and the sources of pain.

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you          Matthew 5:44

Ignoring the hurt is not the best method for “slow to anger”.

The pearl approach is the right approach.

Go to God.  Place the issue before the Lord.  Pray for the people who are causing you anger.

Focus on their wellbeing.  (You cannot do that on your own.) Take the irritation to God where he can build a hard seal around it.  He will take the irritation and create something beautiful out of it.

Do not try this on your own.  When we collect the little irritations and do not deal with the hurt, an explosive environment builds just waiting for a source of ignition.

Journal

How do you handle anger?

I am a slow to anger type. I allow all the hurts to build, but when I blow, I blow. And every hurt is thrown out and at the person. No slight to small for me not to recall and bring it up.

The first step in letting go is not ignoring the issue but recognizing it and giving it to God.

List hurts that you have experienced; write them down. Now write a prayer explaining what has hurt you. Seek God’s cover for your pain. Pray sincerely for the person.  Ask the Lord to resolve issues this person my have.  Request blessings for this person.  Seek the Lord’s guidance in how to deal with the situation.  Ask him to create a pearl.

Tomorrow, when is anger the right response?