I’m remembering how my mother used an old expression that defined her displeasure in a situation: “I was fit to be tied.” This phrase meant that she was so furious she needed to be restrained.
How often are we fit to be tied? What causes us to go throughout the day seething in thought about someone’s inconsiderate behavior toward us, or even worse causes us to blow up in full cussing out mode?
Anger is an emotion we all feel from time to time. Sometimes it’s valid. Other times, not so much. Yet our heavenly Father knows all about the frustrations of life that bring about this emotion. He knows that anger will surface, but teaches us how to handle it.
Anger can have a detrimental effect on our lives if we aren’t careful to bring that emotion under subjection to the Holy Spirit. If we don’t act accordingly, it can cause us to linger in unforgiveness, resentment, and bitterness; not to mention go to jail, or even end up dead.
Anger is not a sin, but can cause us to sin. The Bible tells us in Ephesians 4:26-27/NIV, ““In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.”
Sometimes, life will call for the display of righteous anger when injustices are committed. Jesus displayed righteous anger when he turned over the tables of the money changers and sellers he found in the temple. His Father’s house was designed to be a house of prayer. His actions weren’t done to harm them but to correct them.
“When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves he said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!” His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.” (John 2:13-17)
Righteous anger involves standing up for what is right. We see many examples of this in the Bible.
Nehemiah, the initial cupbearer to King Artaxerxes I, and later Governor of Judah, in Nehemiah 5 of the Bible, was very angry following the outcry of the poor of his people. After returning to Judah, the home of his ancestors, by permission of the king, to rebuild the city, he was an example of one whose actions proved helpful.
Nehemiah addressed the nobles and officials regarding the problems of the indigent and succeeded in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, as well as instituting some religious and economic reforms.
Righteous anger will often be followed by some kind of needful action. However, our behavior or response to an offense will determine its effect in any situation. The Bible tells us in James 1:19-20 that “…Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.”
Of course, excessive anger is not helpful, but destructive. It can cause major problems in relationships and make us very unattractive. The Bible warns us about angry associations: “Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared.” (Proverbs 22:24-25)
Thankfully, the feeling of anger can be channeled toward something helpful. For example, if one is angry that poor people aren’t considered or helped, one might develop a new method, small or large, to help them. Or simply volunteer one’s own time in their community, at an organization that provides help to the poor.
One might be angry about the trash often seen in one’s neighborhood. One could alone or organize neighbors together, collect trash when seen in front of you or nearby. This can serve as an example to other neighbors to dispose of trash if they see it.
One might be angry about how a classmate is consistently gossiping about other students, causing trouble. That anger can be used to foster a few casual conversations during breaks or lunch before sharing one’s thoughts on how one keeps their own mind free of other people’s behavior.
Sometimes, just seeing someone’s good behavior can spark motivating thoughts in another’s mind and conscience on how to behave.
As God’s ambassadors or representatives, we must submit our emotions to God for His grace to rule. We see that according to Romans 12:16-18, we are to “live in harmony with one another” and that we aren’t to repay anyone for evil but to “be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.”
We are to leave any repayment for wrongdoing to the Lord as He is the only one who has the right to avenge. This is the way of His kingdom whether we like it or not.
Often, it takes more advanced help to temper our tempers. We may need counseling to help us unpack those hidden things that cause us to feel rage to the point of harming others. Not to mention time in God’s Bible and prayer regularly makes for less frustration and outbursts.
Though anger may surface, God graciously gives us creative ways of being and doing that help us steer clear of displaying those behaviors that anger may produce, but we must read our Bibles and pray consistently, even if in short, small segments.
Ms. Rita's Minute 