Bishop Keith Butler
Mar 23
An angry man stirreth up strife, and a furious man aboundeth in transgression. (Proverbs 29:22)
I ended up in the hospital.
You read that correctly. I ended up sitting in a hospital bed with a bad report from the doctors.
Maybe you are thinking “A faith man in the hospital? I thought you believed in healing?!” I do.
However, I ended up there because I allowed anger to fuel me and direct me.
I had a motorcycle, and it began not operating the way it was supposed to. I had purchased a policy with the bike that covered all repairs, or so I thought. When I brought it in for service, the company that I bought the policy from with said they would not honor it. I was not only appalled; but I also became very angry. I didn’t ask the Lord about it; I didn’t talk to Him or listen to the Holy Spirit. I just got mad and drove off.
As soon as I pulled out of the dealership, I heard the Holy Spirit say, “Get rid of this bike.” But I had just spent a lot of money on that motorcycle. I said I would obey, but I took my time. About ten days later, I took it on a trip. I drove 250 miles on it and then when I came back home the brakes failed on the bike and I fell hard.
I had never been a patient at a hospital before, but I was that day.
I had never ridden in an ambulance before, but I did that day.
I had broken seven ribs, suffered a 5th degree shoulder separation, and had my ACL and MCL torn apart.
I was operating in anger and refused to listen to the Holy Spirit and the consequences were almost fatal, but for the mercy of God.
Anger is dangerous. When you start to feel the effects of anger rise within you, take a proactive approach and push against it. Pray in the Holy Spirit; breathe and ask God to guide you. Do not allow anger to control your life, your decisions, or your words towards others.