As a general rule, loved people love people and hurt people hurt people. And angry people, besides angering other people, are constantly looking for pegs on which to hanger their anger.

I was watching a TV interview recently and the person being interviewed was obviously a very angry person with a not-too-hidden agenda. This person avoided every question the interviewer asked and continued to spew out his bitter negative comments.

This type of person, who has a negative axe to grind, sees only what he wants to see and hears only what he wants to hear. And he will twist what he hears to make it match his distorted perception of reality. Reality is not on their agenda.

It’s the same with people who have a critical attitude. They’re angry too and are constantly looking for pegs on which to hang their anger. They will read into situations exactly what they want to see and hear as a way to avoid facing their own reality. They live in denial—an ultimately dangerous and self-destructive way to live.

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, please deliver me from the sin of denial and help me to be courageously honest with myself and with You and see in myself any unresolved anger, a critical attitude, and/or any other personal problem I may have. And lead me to find the help I need to resolve and overcome my problems. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus’s name, amen.”

1. Psalm 51:6 (NKJV).

Note: For further help read, “Taming Your Anger,” at: http://tinyurl.com/b439f