And the Lord said, “Do you do well to be angry?” Jonah 4:4
I saw an interesting quote this week–”You cannot see your reflection in boiling water. Similarly, you cannot see the truth in a state of anger. When the water calms, clarity comes.”
When Jonah repeatedly spoke of his anger and displeasure in Jonah 4, God repeatedly tried to show him that HE was in control, not Jonah. I know that acknowledging our feelings to God is a good thing, and I doubt anyone reading this hasn’t been angry at some point in their life. Jonah wasn’t learning and was letting anger control him.
Toddlers throw tantrums out of anger and frustration when they don’t get something they want. Gently teaching them that those outbursts won’t get the desired result usually stops the tantrums. Sometimes just ignoring it does the trick I found.
Anger in itself is not sin. Anger is a natural human emotion, and the Bible acknowledges that even Jesus experienced anger, though his (righteous) anger was against the money changers dishonoring God. When does our anger become sin? Here are few ways:
Anger that is not managed and leads to destructive behavior
Anger stemming from pride or a desire for revenge
Anger directed at God
Allowing anger to fester into bitterness
“Be angry and do not sin.” This verse in Ephesians acknowledges that anger can be appropriate, but it warns against letting it lead to sin. Out of control anger is destructive to the person experiencing it, and there is always collateral damage. Anger not acknowledged causes bitterness that affects every area of life.
I’m searching my own heart today, will you join me in this prayer? “Create in me a clean heart, Oh God, and restore a right spirit in me. Help me to be eager to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger.”
Deb Hill
EFCC Member