Anger is a powerful human emotion.

It can be compared to a highly flammable fuel that can be used to fly a jet or dangerously misused to destroy a city block.

When anger is under control it can be a great motivator to accomplish great things in this world.

A doctor may be driven to find a cure for a particular disease because of his anger at what that disease did to a loved one.

But if anger is misguided and gets out of control, it can turn into rage which can turn into abuse or violence.

Social media is awash with videos of angry people.

The foul language, disrespect, and violence only reveal the filth within the heart.

Here are some ancient words of wisdom:

James 1:20 says, “Human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.”

If anger is growing in your life’s garden, the fruit you produce will have a bitter taste.

Perhaps you know of someone who seems to be angry all the time about something.

If that person is you, please read on.

Eph. 4:26 says, “Be ye angry, and sin not.

Let not the sun go down upon your wrath.”

The Bible doesn’t say to never get angry about anything.

It says to keep your anger in check, under control, and don’t let anger be what you sleep on.

One-third of your life is spent sleeping, but your mind keeps churning on your last thoughts before you sleep.

If you go to bed with anger, you are sleeping with a thief who will only rob you through the night.

Proverbs 29:11 says, “Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm.”

We are currently seeing news accounts of angry mobs, full of rage, fooled into thinking they are justified to commit acts of violence.

May those who are truly wise be used by God to help bring peace and calm to our troubled land.

Next week: Where is your happy place?

Dan Williams is the senior adult pastor at Lexington Baptist Church.