On the drive to church, David and I were daydreaming about improvements to the house. We could:

• Add another garage stall.
• Add dormers to the roof.
• Add window boxes.
• Add a brick overlay to the foundation.

“I have enough of the discontinued brick for the foundation at the front of the house,” David suggested. (He’s suggested this before.)

As I climbed out, I replied, “If we can’t do the entire foundation, I don’t want to do it at all. You can see the side of the house when you come up the street!”

I turned and saw the sound man 3 feet from me. I leaned into the van to get my music and said, “We can’t argue now. Cam can hear us!” Then I laughed. (We weren’t arguing but our discussion had increased in volume!)

I could not get angry. I had to choose to let it go. I just can’t play when I’m mad.

* * * * * * *

Saul was a good object lesson. We read that Saul got angry. I could see that everything got worse and worse as he held on to his anger.

1. Saul became angry, 18:8.
2. He took it as a personal insult, 18:8.
3. He became quite beside himself, raving, 18:10.
4. He tried to kill David – twice, 18:11.
5. He feared David, 18:12.
6. He sacrificed his children, promising Merab to David, 18:17.
7. He reneged on his promise, 18:19.
8. He used his second daughter, Michal as bait, 18:21.
9. He ordered his servants to lie and manipulate David, 18:22.
10. His fear increased and turned into hate, 18:29.
11. He ordered his son and servants to murder David, 19:1.
12. He tried again to kill David, 19:10.
13. He sent men to kill David in his own bed, 19:11.
14. He told his men to bring David in his bed to him and he would kill him, 19:15.
15. He stripped and rambled gibberish before Samuel for 24 hours, 19:24.
16. He exploded in anger, 20:30.
17. He called his wife a slut, 20:30.
18. He tried to kill his heir and best friend, 19:33.

1 Samuel 20:32-33, “Jonathan stood up to his father. ‘Why dead? What’s he done?’ (33) Saul threw his spear at him to kill him. That convinced Jonathan that his father was fixated on killing David.” The Message

* * * * * * *

2 Samuel 1:23, “Saul and Jonathan – beloved, beautiful! Together in life, together in death! Swifter than plummeting eagles, stronger than proud lions.” The Message

What can I do with my anger? Take it to God.

Psalms 34:5, “Look at Him, give Him your warmest smile. Never hide your feelings from Him.” The Message

To keep from dwelling on it, I need to do something else. I need to keep my peace.

Psalms 34:14, “Turn your back on sin; do something good. Embrace peace – don’t let it get away.” The Message

How do you diffuse your anger?

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