From Psalm 37:8
“Give up your anger and forsake wrath; be not vexed, it will only harm you.”

There was a man who was so angry with someone for a long time. He had a really good job, one that he loved. His company was purchased by a similar company and there was no room in the new organization for two people doing the exact job. Unfortunately he was the person that was let go. The man perceived that the person who was retained was not as qualified as him and he was very upset. Instead of being angry at circumstances, he got very angry at the person who got the job – not visibly but in his mind.

The person he was mad at never knew how angry he was – because the man who lost his job remembered that when you lose a job you don’t burn your bridges. He accepted that he was not chosen and left the company in good standing.

But the more he dwelt on his situation the angrier he got. He let that anger run his life for a while. It grew and festered inside of him – growing each day. It clouded his decisions, his future relationships, his work, his family. He kept that anger close to him because it was the one thing he could control in light of everything else going on in his life at the time.

He always had this "chip" on his shoulder and it showed. But finally he decided that it was not doing him any good and it certainly wasn't doing anything to that person. In fact, the person did not even know the man was full of anger toward him.

Anger left unattended or unresolved can burn out of control within us until it turns to rage, bitterness, or revenge. The man realized this and started praying for guidance on how to get rid of his anger. When he finally did let go of that anger – he felt such a freedom -- he didn't have to keep that anger -- he could let go of it. In fact, in his heart he even forgave that person.

Are you angry at someone? Talk to that person today, even if you don't know what to say. Don't keep anger beyond sunset, which is to say -- put out the fire promptly before it consumes something that can't be recovered.

Anger is a very destructive emotion. It reveals a lack of faith that God loves us and is in control. When we dwell on our problems versus turning them over to God, we become more angry and anxious. But if you concentrate on God and His goodness, you will find peace.

Here are a few questions to ask yourself and think about when you are in a quiet place:

• Are you experiencing anger right now in your life?

• How does this evidence itself?

• Do you find yourself thinking a lot about the unfairness of your company's action to terminate you or the way you are at your present place of employment?

The Bible doesn't say we shouldn't feel angry but it is very specific about how we are to deal with it. The devil wants us to be angry and dwell on the past. He wants us to wallow in self-pity and to have hatred in our hearts about our former employer. If anger is bottled up inside us, it can cause us to become bitter and destroy us from within.

God doesn’t forgive us because we forgive others, but because of His great mercy. As we come to understand His mercy, we want to become like him. Having received forgiveness, we will pass it on to others. When we are not willing to forgive, we have yet to become one with Christ, who was willing to forgive even those who crucified him.

Ephesians 4: 31-32
“Get rid of all bitterness, all passion and anger, harsh words, slander, and malice of every kind. In place of these, be kind to one another, compassionate, and mutually forgiving, just as God has forgiven you in Christ.”

When you are consumed with anger – where is your focus – on the future or still in the past?

Anger keeps you from getting on with the business at hand, which is to find the job that God has planned for you. We need to leave revenge in God's hands. Repaying evil for evil hurts you as much as it hurts your enemy. Even if your enemy never repents (which is highly unlikely in the loss of a job), forgiving him or her will free you of a heavy load of bitterness and allow you to move on with your life.

One way that helps dissipate that anger and pent up feelings is to regularly exercise and eat healthy. It reduces tension and improves fitness – you’ll be sleeping better which will improve your outlook and pretty soon your anger will be a thing of the past.

If you go to a job interview full of anger, it’s like going to a job interview dressed in sloppy clothes. First impressions stick with a potential employer – and if you don’t get rid of your anger – it will show.

So turn your anger into something positive and constructive. Allow your angry feelings to surface so they’ll be less likely to get in the way when you’re looking for a job or networking.

Ask God - Trust God - Expect His Blessings