Being Angry

By Benjamin H. Liles

          God is an honest judge. He is angry with the wicked every day. - Psalm 7:11


           And “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

           Anger, it's an interesting feeling and emotion.

          We, more often than not, tend to show anger to one another for things we don't mean to truly be angry about, but it does happen.

          When it comes down to what it means to be righteously angry we can still end up getting angry as a result towards those who do wicked and still let it rule us. So, how do we just look at things the way God does?

          In between the two verses we see an interesting look at both God as well as us. He gets angry at the sins we commit, and yet we--unlike God--allow our anger to be manifested towards those we love.

          How can we reconcile the two? While, in the sense, we will some day be perfect as God is perfect we can be angry at the effects of sin and still help one another out when things go wrong. The mole hill we thought was a mountain can be made a mole hill and allow an understanding between the parties to take place. It's basically akin to "getting along."

          But more than that, in order to be truly Christ's Church, we shouldn't ever allow our own anger divide us but to make us cohere better. When differences arise, it is best to find resolutions to the problems and do as Paul said, "Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others" (Colossians 3:13).

          If we're going to be angry over something, we need to make sure it's worth it and to pick those battles carefully and wisely. More than anything, when we are angry, it should be to help, and not just to build each other up, but to also show we care about one another.

          Father, I need your help with the temper that I? have. I admit I tend to misunderstand a great deal and hurt those who are closest to me, like my wife. Help me overcome being an angry man. I do believe there is a way to be angry and to not sin. I can be angry over an injustice done to one of your people who needs Your hand and Your guidance; I can be angry when someone has abused another without sinning. More than anything if and when I do get angry it means something is wrong. I don't want to use my anger to be in the wrong, but to allow it to show me what I need to do to be back in the right. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.