Love is Not Easily Angered

How easily are you angered? I know with me, it's pretty easy. Or maybe I should say, I'm easily frustrated, or quickly impatient. A person should not be fearful that we will be easily angered, this stifles relationships, if not kills it. Relationships need a secure place to be, and a secure person to be with. Relationships should be safe havens, where you can be you without fear of anger, criticism, or judgment. Not that anger, criticism and judgment are not part of relating, but that they should be in a safe setting of love. If you deliver these in a loving way, it should come across as love being the reason you are upset, or the basis for your critical evaluation - for the sake of the relationship, not to hurt the other person, or for the other person. Because as we know, helping the other person is what love is all about, not tearing them down. Anger always hurts the other person. Easy anger hurts more, it wounds the spirit of the other. Let's be really difficult to be angered. Doesn't that sound like a better way to relate? It will be better for you and for them.

(I Corinthians 13:5)