Dealing with anger

Jesus felt the same emotions as us, including anger: 'So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables' (John 2:15 NIV). The money-changing system made a daily habit of insulting God's house, so Jesus had a right to be angry. We know he never sinned (1 Peter 2:22), so his anger definitely wasn't sin. As our hearts become more like his, there may be times when our anger is justified like that, too.

Jesus' anger was always directed at injustice, hypocrisy and the exploitation of the vulnerable. But even then, his response was aimed at restoration. When he met Zacchaeus, who'd been taking advantage of people's money (see Luke 19:1-10), he didn't rage at him. He saw Zaccheus as a person first, and dealt with him in love.

Like Jesus, we need to use our anger for good. When we see a system that hurts people (or God), let's allow that anger to move us to constructive action. Or, when our anger is more person-related, let's learn to defuse the fuse and approach the person with patience and love.



So what now? Next time you feel angry, go into another room. Pray for a couple of minutes. Take a few deep breaths. Is your anger justified, or just a human niggle? Ask God to be with you as you deal with the situation.





— SCRIPTURE —

'Everyone... should not get angry easily.' James 1:19 GWT
— SOULFOOD —

Exo 4-6, John 1:43-51, Ps 92, Pro 26:1-3