Anger Management

BE ANGRY, AND yet DO NOT SIN; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and do not give the devil an opportunity. (Eph. 4:26-27) All of us know that this is much easier said than done. When it comes to anger management, we are all works in progress. It is very hard to be angry and not sin, but if God's word tells us to do it, then it must be possible. On the other hand, if we are not working at correcting our anger problems, then we are definitely giving the devil opportunities in our lives that he does not need. He will be the one to see that we do not say the much needed words “I'm sorry” before the sun goes down, which carries over to the next morning and ruins a brand new day the Lord has blessed us with. Anger then leads to a pride problem that will need to be managed as well.

Do you desire to live a righteous life? If so, then you need to heed the words of James, Therefore my beloved brethren, let everyone be swift to hear, slow to speak and slow to wrath (anger); for the wrath (anger) of man does not produce the righteousness of God. (James 1:19-20) Most of us do the opposite. We are swift to speak and to become angry, but very slow to listen and hear. The writer of Proverbs 19:11 has the solution to our anger issues. He says, A man's discretion makes him slow to anger, And it is his glory to overlook a transgression. Of course we know that discretion is the freedom to decide what should or should not be done in a particular situation. If we make the right choice, then we do not have to be concerned about our anger, but if we make the wrong choice, then......

There are some people who thrive on anger. God's word has this to say about that. Do not be eager in your heart to be angry, For anger resides in the bosom of fools. (Eccl. 7:9) There are numerous fools in the world, but YOU DO NOT want to be among their number. We all do foolish things every now and again, but that does not automatically make us fools. Amen? A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, But the slow to anger calms a dispute. (Proverbs 15:18) A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger. (Proverbs 15:1) Paul, writing to the Colossians, said we are to put away anger (Col. 3:8). He also proclaimed the Ephesians, Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. (Eph. 4:31)

Anger is a destroyer of relationships. Jonah had this problem because of what God told him to do in the city of Nineveh. After seeing the city of Nineveh repent, Jonah becomes furious. He was angry that the Lord would show compassion to this city. You see, Jonah knows that God is a merciful and compassionate God. He gives second chances. He spares us His wrath. Although Jonah loves this about God when God’s compassion is shown to him (Chapter 2), but is angry towards God when it is shown to Nineveh (Chapter 3). You see Jonah wants to receive mercy from the Lord, but he doesn’t want God to show His mercy to others, especially the Ninevites. God responds with just a simple question, “Do you do well to be angry?” I like the NLT of this verse, “Is it right for you to be angry about this?” In other words, God is questioning Jonah’s angry. Jonah why are you getting so upset about this? Why is this bothering you so badly? Throughout this whole book Jonah has been nothing but a spoiled brat. He wants to receive the mercy of God for himself, but he doesn’t want God to show it to others. (Jonah 4)

Now what does this mean for you and me? First, God has compassion on all people, not just us. Second, we must repent of our self-centered hypocrisy and anger. Third, remember that God gives mercy to those who repent. Yes, we all have anger issues, but if we truly want to please God, then we need to earnestly work on getting rid of our anger. Are you working at being more like Christ or are you satisfied with the way you are now? Remember, we have the ability to choose!