Our world is presently rocked by a war in Iran, angry nations experiencing the loss of life and destruction of property that goes with angry conflict of nations. Personally, we all experience anger and disagreement. Most of the time we do not resort to violent means. More commonly we let a war of words break out, feelings are hurt, and sometimes relationships end.
Anger is like dynamite! Explosives are a boon to humanity. The combustion engines that give energy to our vehicles are really just controlled explosions. We blast through rocks to build roads through mountains. Rockets ride the release of huge amounts of energy to venture from earth into space. And we know too well from watching the news this week that explosives are also a terrible blight, destroying cities and killing thousands.
In much the same way, we can use anger to change our world, to deal with injustice, to challenge some evil that needs to be eradicated. Too much anger can destroy a friendship, tear apart a marriage, turn a man into a murderer, or drive a nation to war! But if we are too apathetic to become angry, we will learn to live with situations that need to be changed.
It is critically important that anger is kept within boundaries. When anger builds in us a whole range of responses begin to occur. Blood pressure increases. Our heart rate goes up. Adrenaline pours into our body preparing us for a fight! If we are not accustomed to managing our emotions, anger will quickly cause us to move toward irrational thoughts that turn into blind rage.
That is why I call anger the emotion the devil loves! The Scripture speaks of anger, not as sin, but with caution so that it does not cause us to sin. Jesus Christ, the Sinless Man, grew angry! Mark tells us that when some religious leaders resisted His work of healing because of the Sabbath traditions, "He looked around at them in anger, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts!" Then, too, there is that well-known incident when an angry Jesus took up a whip and drove the money changers from the Temple grounds because their greed led them to exploit worshippers! He shouted at those crooks – “My house will be called a house of prayer,’[a] but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.” (Matthew 21)
IF we want to avoid being consumed by anger we must learn to limit how far we allow to reach into our lives and how long we allow ourselves to remain angry. The wisdom of Scripture says:
"Don't sin by letting anger control you." Don't let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil." (Ephesians 4:26-27, NLT) And
"So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore, lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls." (James 1:19-21, NKJV)
Be honest with yourself when you're starting to feel angry. If you are not, the emotion is so powerful it will find a way to seep into many other parts of your life like a corrosive acid that opens your mind to temptations around lust, rage, uncontrolled spending, or misuse of alcohol and/or drugs! It is true! Many people with life-controlling issues are really just angry children inside, looking for relief from the suppressed anger they feel over situations they think they cannot control.
So how can we keep anger from blowing up our world?
1. Be quick to invite another to monitor your anger.
As you talk about being angry you will be more likely to properly identify the source so you can find the right solution.
2. Pray about your anger!
The last thing you may feel like doing when you're growing angry at someone is taking it to the Lord, but it is one of the first responses for those who are Christ's. Invite the Holy Spirit to calm you, to give you insight, to drain selfishness from your soul.
3. Deal with it now!
Don't stuff anger away under pious talk, or diversions that keep you from thinking about it. In just a few hours, minor irritation can turn into a major conflict if it is not promptly dealt with.
4. Learn to forgive.
To forgive doesn't mean 'just forget about it.' Forgiveness is a choice to turn some injustice over to Him, with the sure knowledge that He will, in His time and with His wisdom, bring about true justice - maybe not today or tomorrow, but He will.
So, you can take that person, that situation, that wound to Him and leave it with Him. "Lord, I have not been able to deal with this. I can't solve it, I can't control it, I can't work it out. I give it to You. I release it to You and ask You to let my heart leave it there." It is simply amazing that peace can flow into our lives IF we choose to forgive others in this manner!
5. Repent, if you have stepped over the line from anger to rage!
Own your emotions and responsibility for them. Nobody can cause us to sin. As much as we don't believe this it is true: nobody makes us angry. We choose that response! And where we choose to sin, the Bible calls us to confess and in confession to find the Lord's forgiveness and release from guilt.
America is full of ungodly anger today at least in part because we are so fearful. We fear the future. Constand exposure to news channels makes us afraid of our neighbors. Christian, settle yourself in the care and love of the Father who holds you in the palm of His hand. And, then I pray that the Holy Spirit will fill our hearts with serenity. From that place of peace, we will become peacemakers who bring reconciliation and live the word of Jesus who said - "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God." (Matthew 5:9, NIV)
May we live as agents of peace in our violent world for the glory of God. Amen.
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