Political Season Anger Stopped With A.G.E - Trump And Harris

The solution for anger comes from A.G.E. - Three ways to shift your perspective.

You’ve had enough. You’re tired of listening to candidates lie. You’re tired of the greed, the corruption, and everyone claiming they are the answer to the complex problems that plague this Nation and world.

You don’t want to turn on the T.V. because you feel like throwing your shoe at the screen the next time you hear Kamala Harris or Donald Trump’s voice. Well the A.G.E acronym will change your perspective and help you grow spiritually. Join me in this article as I explain the acronym.

Before I explain the acronym, I want to look at a few scriptures to help us understand where anger comes from and the fruit it produces. This political season has only brought to the surface what was already there. 

 What causes quarrels and fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? James 4:1

The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? Jeremiah 17:9

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger. James 1:19

Three ideas can be drawn from these three texts. One is that disagreements happen when people are misunderstood, and their passion to have their way gets the best of them. Two is that our hearts can easily deceive us, and people don’t understand how broken they are until they have their hearts exposed. Third, listening and processing what someone has said allows you to speak at the right time without anger.

I created this A.G.E. acronym out of necessity because I am a man actively battling anger, just like you. By God’s grace, I win more battles than I lose with anger. Or if I do get angry, I am quicker to stop and repent sooner than later and ask for forgiveness. My attitude toward anger has changed over the years as I have acknowledged it for what it is: sin against the person I am angry with and God. 

I know what you are thinking. Maybe you are using the justification I have used for years from Ephesians 4:26 (Be angry and sin not; do not let the sun go down on your anger). This is a scripture that most can never really achieve. That is why the end of the verse is there: Do not let the sun go down on your anger. In other words, make it right as quickly as you can—that day, if possible.

A: Acknowledge

What causes quarrels and fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? James 4:1

This is where our first letter is represented in the A.G.E. acronym. A stands for acknowledge. To prevent anger from growing, we must first recognize the building of anger. Passions that are not controlled are one of the foundations for anger to flare. I am not calling you to be a doormat or a pushover; however, quarreling and fighting with someone because of a lack of control on your part will not help anyone. Passions are good, but anger takes the driver's seat when control is lost.

Just a few days ago, I had to use this in my life. My wife said I was being rude in the way I spoke to her, and as I began to listen to her and acknowledge that potential, I realized she was right, and I was wrong. I had to repent and apologize.

Maybe you support Trump, and one of your co-workers advocates for Harris (or vice versa). When you begin to listen intentionally, you acknowledge the differences and see the potential for arguments. Listening intentionally allows you to understand what the other person believes and respectfully share where you disagree with them.

People need to actively listen to understand the other person. Then, they can get their points across with meekness.

G: Getaway

The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? Jeremiah 17:9

The following letter in our acronym is G: getaway. This is important when preventing an outburst of anger, especially in the early stages of not succumbing to the emotional and physical actions of anger.

Just tell the person, “I cannot continue to discuss this topic with you now; let's put it on the shelf for today and circle back around later when I am calmer.” Most of the time, the person will respect that, whether it's politics (Trump and Harris) at work or a relationship at home.

Nevertheless, sometimes it does not work, and you physically must walk away. Maybe your anger is welling up, and your sinful heart is about to explode. You are about to act and say things you can’t take back. Get out of there and take a quick walk. Knowing your heart is essential and will make you better in every relationship.

While walking or processing later, the third letter will help you completely conquer your anger.

E: Evaluation

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger. James 4:19

E is for evaluation. You are taking what the person said seriously as you evaluate what caused you to be so angry in that situation. Here are some questions to ask.

Why does what they believe make me so angry?

Example 1- Do I fear what will happen if Harris becomes president? I fear high prices on everything and more pressure on freedoms like gun ownership and religious liberties.  

Your anger comes from fear in this situation, and God tells us perfect love casts out fear. When we understand how much He loves us and that nothing is out of order because of His providence and sovereignty, we can rest in His plan even if it does not turn out as we think best.

If the Trump or Harris campaigns have you ready to explode, remember that God is working out His divine purposes with whoever gets in office. This can only happen if you take time to acknowledge your sinful tendency of anger, get away, and evaluate why you are so angry about something you cannot change.

Is what they are saying about me true?

Example 2- Am I unreasonable, and do I cut people off when they talk and yell over them?

You can only come to terms with this if you are willing to evaluate what is happening inside your heart. I will have several book recommendations at the end of this article to help you examine your heart in more detail.

Acknowledging and getting away also allows you to evaluate how you need to listen twice as hard next time intentionally.   

The next question will help you be ready to reenter the conversation next time and respond in a calmer tone and demeanor. If you blew it before, you could not get away without getting angry. The first step is asking for forgiveness from God and the person you sinned against.

Then, ask this question: how can I change how I speak and listen next time to prevent my outbursts?

Answering the above questions will help you know what you need to succeed the next time you encounter a potential situation in which you could get angry.

Listen to what the writer of Proverbs tells us: A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls. Proverbs 25:28

This verse teaches one thing: A man without control is vulnerable and on his way to destruction, just as a city without walls can easily be destroyed because of its vulnerability. It is open for robbers and vagabonds to pillage.  

Someone without self-awareness and the ability to control themselves is just as vulnerable. If this is your weak spot—anger—and this political season has brought it to light, let the A.G.E. acronym allow you to chart a new course to help you overcome your anger.  

Acknowledge, get away, and evaluate so you can enter the conversation after your time away with the needed perspective. I pray that everyone, either reading or listening to this article, will take this different path in overcoming anger. Falling in the same old patterns will not change anything.  

Until next month, go out and proclaim and share the Gospel to see a life transformed because the truth worth proclaiming and sharing is the truth that transforms.  

Books to read:

Uprooting Anger- Robert D Jones

The Heart of Anger -Lou Priolo

Pursuing Peace: A Christian Guide to Handling Our Conflicts- Robert D Jones