Years ago I worked with a young wrestler in Missouri. Collegiate wrestlers lift weights, run sprints, eat right and grapple with teammates, all in anticipation of forcing their next opponent into submission. You don’t want to get into a fight with a wrestler.

My friend dealt with anger and aggression, which works on the mat but not so much in the dorm. Some guys down the hall mocked him for his faith, called him names and kept him up at night. Finally, in Hulk-like fashion he picked one up over his head (he was a heavyweight) and tossed him down the hall. The mocking stopped. No one was hurt, no charges pressed, and my friend emerged a hero. Turns out these knuckleheads ridiculed all their neighbors.

But the next day the hero burst into tears when he told me the story. He took his faith seriously and wanted to live as a committed disciple of Jesus. He hoped to express his faith to those around him. Instead, his wrath ascended. His lack of control left him shaken.

What to do?

We turned to the Scriptures. We looked at several verses regarding anger. Solomon wrote: Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end (Proverbs 29:11). And Paul added: Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you (Ephesians 4:31-32).

This young man began to memorize these and other verses dealing with anger. He sought the Holy Spirit’s control in his life. Over the next several months changes occurred. While he was still a wrestler (a quite good one), his demeanor shifted from scowl to smile. Patience took root and grew. Best of all, anger faded.

I think of his relief often, especially when I read this word from the Lord: Is not my word like fire, declares the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?

The Word of God forms a fiery sledge and the rock it breaks is the human heart. The Holy Scriptures carry unmatched power. If you desire life change, search the Bible and discover the passages relating to your need. Memorize them, which allows the Holy Spirit to bring one to mind at just the right time. Pick up the hammer and see what God breaks from your life. Freedom awaits, it just takes some pounding to get there.

Jeremiah 23:29

Photo by Moritz Mentges