Anger is a silent killer. Not only can it fester in our hearts and cause our blood pressure to rise — it also discolors how we see things. It tightens our jaws so we grind our teeth. It tenses our lower back muscles and disturbs our sleep. So why do we hang onto it so often?
Jonah was angry — at the people of Nineveh, at God, at everything. Even the withering of a plant that had shaded him from the sun. His disposition had soured his whole outlook on life, and God called him on it. Was it right for him to be angry?
Throughout Scripture, God is said to be compassionate and slow to anger. The two go hand in hand. When compassion flows in, anger is squeezed out. The focus shifts from our feelings to the other person’s. It is no longer about who hurt us or did us an injustice. Instead, God’s love encourages us to see the “why?” behind the act.
Yes, there is such a thing as righteous anger. The Bible states that God can become angry, but not swiftly. Feelings are not factored in. No jealousy, no revenge, no hurt. Instead, the anger spurs a call to action to right a wrong, to turn a negative into a positive.
Paul warned in Ephesians 4:26, “In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry…” Anger is not the sin. Letting it cloud our compassion for others can be.
Dear Lord, help me to release any feelings of anger in my heart. Do not let them shackle me and keep me from seeing others with compassion as you see them. Amen.
Go Deeper — Is something perturbing you today? Is there anger in your heart? If so, ask God to fill you with his compassion and grant you the wisdom to resolve the situation in his strength. If a wrong has been done to you, resolve to forgive the wrongdoer and seek reconciliation, if possible.
Photo Credit: Jorge Lopez