I wasn't so much angry as I was hurt and confused. Scratch that...I was angry.
I was walking around the mall, which isn't my favorite place to begin with, and attempting to communicate with someone on a matter that wasn't necessarily urgent, but important to me and time sensitive.
After a call wasn't answered, I moved to a text. A short while later, I received a response that just sent my head spinning. I don't get angry often, but I have triggers just like everyone else, and sometimes...
You know those moments when the devil on your shoulder just whispers in your ear a list of things to say? Responses that would feel so good, but sting so bad? Sniper shots, I like to call them. One-liners that take out the opponent. Game over. Well, I had one of those moments. As I found myself getting hotter and hotter, I told, my wife, Susan, I needed a minute, left her in the shoe section (a dangerous move in itself), grabbed my phone, started writing...then turned it off, put it away, took a walk, and did nothing.
"Don't sin by letting your anger control you. Think about it overnight and remain silent. Offer sacrifices in the right spirit, and trust the Lord." (Psalm 4:4-5)
Anger is a necessary emotion, but a horrible co-pilot.
A warning light on your mental dashboard to tell you something is not right in this situation, you may want to stop and think, something isn't safe, or something needs attention or correction. But if you let it go from a warning light to a "fire" button, people get hurt...starting with you.
I still haven't responded. I'm still sleeping on the situation and waiting for the right spirit to re-engage. I trust the Lord with the result, and that gives me peace, allowing the momentary anger to dissipate and the angel on the other shoulder to whisper better perspective and better responses. Time to realize it isn’t about me and engage a little API (Assume Positive Intent).
Don't allow other people's actions to compel you to respond. You get to choose when and how. If anger is in the driver's seat, there is gonna be a crash. Take a deep breath, walk away, and wait until the right spirit is in control. Then go buy your wife a great pair of shoes, that will make everything better! Refocusing your attention from self to others is a heck of an anger release valve.