What Is the Purpose of Confronting Suspicion?

Suspicion arises when there are misgivings about another person’s intentions or a situation that is questionable. Suspicion is a primitive instinct necessary for survival in a world without protection from predators. If suspicions were ignored, there might not be a second chance to consider one’s options.

It’s not that a person should become paranoid and permit fear and anxiety to dominate their lives, for then peace would no longer be possible. Suspicion does have positive attributes. For instance, if a teenager’s grades drop and irritability takes the place of patience, then this could be a warning that an unacceptable change has taken place.

Suspicion must be confronted, not with anger and rage, but with evidence, which takes patience and faith. 

Truth and faithfulness are the foundation blocks for all relationships including our relationship with God. Truth and faithfulness are attributes of God which he instills in us to defeat suspicion.  

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Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.  

~1 Corinthians 13:4-7 New Living Translation

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What Helps Us Stop Reacting with Anger?

While it may be initially impossible to prevent anger from surfacing, it is possible to refrain from expressing it in words and behaviors. Submitting to anger implies a loss of control when self-control is desperately needed. Anger limits our reasoning ability that is designed to prevent us from submitting to bad choices.

Submitting is a natural reaction. We submit to hunger, to rules for remaining employed, to biblical guidelines securing our relationships with the Lord God and society. You are not required to submit to anger, as anger creates hostility in others which can be to your detriment.

Empathy is by far the most difficult response to exhibit toward someone who is expressing anger. Empathy coupled with understanding will override the impulse to react with anger. Empathy helps you see things from God’s perspective. Ask yourself, “How does God view this situation and how is he now reacting?  

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But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and abundant in mercy and truth.  

~Psalm 86:15 New American Standard Bible

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How Is Being Slow to Anger Helpful?

 So much pain and suffering is caused by anger that’s expressed in words or physical violence. Anger can be as addictive as narcotics, and that addiction is difficult to break, especially when it is used as a weapon. Revenge-seeking is given its presence and power when driven by anger. 

Words spoken in anger can shred a person’s self-esteem and create pain that lasts a lifetime. Silence encased in anger portrays a cold, distant attitude that serves as payback for past physical or verbal abuse. Feeling threatened emotionally or physically always accompanies anger at varying levels.

Whatever causes anger, never permit it to become the instrument for getting revenge. We can follow God’s pattern of being slow to anger, abounding in love, as Exodus 34:6 explains. Being slow to anger prevents overreacting by giving you the chance to see situations from God’s point of view.   

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But you, the Lord God, are kind and merciful. You don’t easily get angry, and your love can always be trusted.

~Psalm 86:15 Contemporary English Version

 

Let Christ’s peace control you. God has called you into this peace by bringing you into one body. And be thankful.

~Colossians 3:15 God’s Word Translation

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