Anger. Such a powerful emotion.
This feeling can range from slightly annoyed to seeing-red-smoking-ear-tears-streaming. There’s a lot of power behind that. I have discovered that some Christians take things a bit out of context and say if we are legit Christians, we should never be angry.
Yeah, no. I think not.
Snap that picture and I will cut you.
Yes, it’s true that our role model Jesus didn’t get angry… very often. But He still did! Remember when He showed up at the temple and the people were selling stuff and turning it more into a marketplace instead of a place of holy worship? No? Let me refresh your memory:
“Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’” ~Matthew 21:12-13
Let’s take a closer look at this Scripture. While it doesn’t give a ton of details about Jesus raising His voice or legitimately being angry, I can’t really imagine that he “overturned the tables” and drove out the salesmen with a gentle smile and polite voice.
Nope. I think He was pretty ticked. So yes, Jesus got angry a time or two. What does that mean for us? That means it is OK to be angry every now and then (hey, we live in a fallen world!) but we have to be aware of how our anger is affecting us and those around us. Here are a few tips.
1.Don’t let anger control you. As I mentioned, anger is a powerful emotion. Sometimes I get so ticked off that all rationality goes out the window. I stew on it, I vent, I think about it constantly and soon it becomes all-consuming. The situation or person who we are angry with can soon (and unexpectedly) turn into an idol. We begin to think about it so much that God falls out of the picture. And this angry feeling? It owns us. It is so very important to let out that anger but not to let it get a permanent foothold in your heart.
2. Don’t let anger result in sin. Ephesians 4:26 says “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.” This Scripture captures both point #1 and point #2. Don’t let the anger last forever and don’t let it result in sin. If we look back at how Jesus reacted, it doesn’t say that he then punched somebody in the throat and held a grudge until he died and rose again. (That would be sinful and Jesus never sinned.) Instead He got upset, fixed the situation (without sinning) and moved on to continue healing the lame and giving sight to the blind. When we get angry, we need to put the whoa on it quickly so that Satan doesn’t move in a make the situation worse.
3. Release anger in a positive way. Deal with your anger, and do it positively. That could be venting to someone you love and understands the situation (nodding and smiling) until you get it all out. At that point of the game, I am usually out of steam, so when my Beloved says “We should pray about this,” the emotion is tempered into something more positive and manageable. You can’t come into and stay in the presence of God when you are flaming angry. He will calm you down. I also have a punching bag in the garage. That bad boy takes a beating when I am ticked. Even if you don’t feel like it, exercise your anger out. Some of the best workouts I have experienced in my life have come directly after a huge conflict or frustration. When I get done? I have not only had time to think, pray and cool down, but I am worn out and the fight in me has simmered. Rationality returns and I can deal with whatever issue is at hand with a heart of Christ instead of my cray-cray emotions.
Friends, I want to encourage you that it is OK to be angry. We just have to be very careful to deal with our anger like Jesus did. And we aren’t going to get it right every time. Unfortunately, we are still sinners. But with our sin comes abundant grace.
Remember that those angry moments, when laid at the foot of the cross, can immediately become Jesus moments.
Fired up and OK with it,
“The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.” ~Psalm 145:8
PS: Today I am so incredibly blessed to blog for my dear friend/bloggy sister Laura Rath on the sticky topic of comparison. Keep reading over at her place to take the dare NOT to compare.
Linking up today with Michelle via Hear it Sunday~Use it Monday, Laura at Playdates with God, Joan’s Beauty in His Grip, Inspire me Monday, and Miscellany Monday. Oh! And be sure to join our #EverydayJesus link-up community right here at 7 Days Time every Thursday!
