WHEN WE BEGIN TO HOLLER
Have you ever heard the expression, “the hit dog hollers”? I remember this saying from way back in my
childhood. It refers to a time when dogs used to run around neighborhoods in small bands or packs. Often
someone would throw a rock or a stick at the bunch of dogs to run them off. While all the dogs would usually
run off, and a few of them would bark or growl, you could always tell if you hit one--he hollered!
The same is sometimes true today in our relationships with other people. When do people get angry?
When do people raise their voices, when do you see them fighting to control their anger? When what is said
hits them. Quite often their anger is not really at what was said or done. As often as not, their anger is pro-
voked simply because what you said or did reminded them of something that they had just as soon not think
about!
Is all anger sin? Of course not. Jesus was angry (Mark 3:5) and yet we read of Him: “who did no sin,
neither was guile found in his mouth” (1 Pet. 2:22). Paul wrote, “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go
down upon your wrath” (Eph. 4:26). The last phrase of that verse shows that we are not to let anger become
a grudge--when we get angry, we need to get over it and let it go, ASAP! So, when can we be angry? Jesus’
example ought really to be our guide! Only rarely is Jesus shown to be angry. He never got angry at attacks or
misunderstandings about Himself. He got angry when God was profaned. He go angry when people served
God hypocritically. He got angry when someone else was mistreated or misrepresented. But He never got
angry when He Himself was hurt.
What about you? What makes you angry? Do you get angry when someone doubts your word? Do you
get angry when someone gets in your way? Do you get angry when things don’t go right for you? Our Lord
did not get angry at these things. The lesson is clear: We shouldn’t either.
Yes, the hit dog hollers. When you begin to holler, stop and take note of which of your “dogs” is hit and
then see if your anger is just a selfish expression.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: Constructive criticism is when I criticize you--destructive criticism is
when you criticize me. Have a great week!
Love ya,
Jesse
childhood. It refers to a time when dogs used to run around neighborhoods in small bands or packs. Often
someone would throw a rock or a stick at the bunch of dogs to run them off. While all the dogs would usually
run off, and a few of them would bark or growl, you could always tell if you hit one--he hollered!
The same is sometimes true today in our relationships with other people. When do people get angry?
When do people raise their voices, when do you see them fighting to control their anger? When what is said
hits them. Quite often their anger is not really at what was said or done. As often as not, their anger is pro-
voked simply because what you said or did reminded them of something that they had just as soon not think
about!
Is all anger sin? Of course not. Jesus was angry (Mark 3:5) and yet we read of Him: “who did no sin,
neither was guile found in his mouth” (1 Pet. 2:22). Paul wrote, “Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go
down upon your wrath” (Eph. 4:26). The last phrase of that verse shows that we are not to let anger become
a grudge--when we get angry, we need to get over it and let it go, ASAP! So, when can we be angry? Jesus’
example ought really to be our guide! Only rarely is Jesus shown to be angry. He never got angry at attacks or
misunderstandings about Himself. He got angry when God was profaned. He go angry when people served
God hypocritically. He got angry when someone else was mistreated or misrepresented. But He never got
angry when He Himself was hurt.
What about you? What makes you angry? Do you get angry when someone doubts your word? Do you
get angry when someone gets in your way? Do you get angry when things don’t go right for you? Our Lord
did not get angry at these things. The lesson is clear: We shouldn’t either.
Yes, the hit dog hollers. When you begin to holler, stop and take note of which of your “dogs” is hit and
then see if your anger is just a selfish expression.
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: Constructive criticism is when I criticize you--destructive criticism is
when you criticize me. Have a great week!
Love ya,
Jesse
Comments
Post a Comment