A spew of words permeated the air. The venom spitting them was a poisonous force, assaulting everyone within hearing. Someone was angry. And everyone around knew it. I couldn’t imagine what had warranted such wrath.
The Bible says feeling angry isn’t wrong. It’s not a sin. It’s a part of life. Psalm 4:4 tells us how to handle anger, “Be angry and do not sin, ponder it in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent.”
Ephesians 4:26 extols, “Be angry and do not sin, don’t let the sun go down on your anger.”
Feeling angry isn’t a sin, but what we choose to do with the anger could be.
Righteous anger (like Jesus had in Matthew 21) causes pause and evaluation. Jesus’ anger also stopped (at least temporarily) the sin and dishonoring of God.
The Bible clearly states anger is a part of humanity. God experiences anger and we’re made in His image. We’re not to be either hot or cold- we should feel something.
How we express that anger, and do we let it, or any other emotion control us, is the better question.
Fred Rogers once said, “Human beings are not born with self-control. We have to learn what to do with the mad we feel. Learning to control ourselves is a long, hard process. It happens little by little. In fact, it’s something we work on all through our lives. “
Our consolation is that self-control over anger is possible. The Holy Spirit both gives and helps us develop the gift of self-control. What can we do when we’re struggling and don’t think of asking for help or are consumed and can’t ask?
The Spirit intercedes for us (Romans 8:26).
We are never alone when we’re dealing with the mad inside. If you’re like me, it’s easy to forget that truth. But it is true. His help is always available to us, no matter what state we’re in.
Will you join me in asking for a reminder of just that?
Prayer: Dear Lord, Thank You for the reminder that anger itself isn’t the problem. Help me channel that emotion into something positive. Help me recall I can ask for Your help and thank You for helping me develop the gift of self-control. In Jesus’ name, Amen.