Anger/Wrath

When was the last time you got really angry either at someone in particular or at a specific situation? Was it today? Yesterday? Last week?

It doesn’t matter whether it was against someone you love, someone you are acquainted with, or someone you didn't really know. Anger is the enemy of kindness; it is the opposing virtue of patience and compassion.

Anger tends to be a first reaction to things that either we don’t understand or disapprove of. Anger tends to be a defensive mechanism where we “put up our guard” in order to verbally defend ourselves. Or in worse situations, it could be where we aggressively attack someone physically, psychologically, or verbally.

¹⁹ When words are many, sin is not absent,
but he who holds his tongue is wise.

Proverbs 10:19

I’m sure you’ve heard something similar to the following…

“That car can go 0 to 60 in 3.2 seconds.”

This is often how anger works. Anger can reach dangerous levels in very short periods of time. Many times, it can innocently start out as frustration related to either the proven or perceived faults of others. Frustration that is left “unchecked” can and often will snowball into anger/wrath. Sometimes this emotion might occur immediately, other times it might take a little longer to cultivate in someone’s mind before the devil convinces them to “turn it up a notch.”

Anger and wrath are considered one and the same and Websters online dictionary defines the world wrath as follows:

Forceful, often vindictive anger.

• Punishment or vengeance as a manifestation of anger
• Divine retribution for sin

Ultimately, anger is a decision. How we respond or act in various day-to-day situations stems from both our minds as well as our hearts. If we allow God to give us peace in our hearts, our reactions will be much more benign.

I can think of nothing more fearful than the wrath of God. If you’ve ever read the book of Genesis then you know what I’m talking about. Hint: Remember the great flood?

⁸ Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
do not fret—it leads only to evil.

⁹ For evil men will be cut off,
but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.

Psalm 37:8-9

Final thoughts –

Very often, anger stems from a self-conflict between our own ideals and those of others…versus the actual situation at hand. No situation can reach a positive outcome through the act of anger. We must attempt to keep our hearts at peace and our actions guided by the word of the Lord. For many of us, our tongue is the most accessible and harmful weapon we have. The hateful words that we mistakenly say to loved-ones often hurts them worse than any dagger or bullet. Be mindful of what you say and how you act to the people you love – as well as those you come in contact with on a daily basis. Each person is in their own unique place with Christ. It is not up to us to judge how strong or weak someone else's faith might be. But, we can do at least two things:

1) Hold our tongues and not partake in sinful “verbal tennis matches” with others. The devil has a front row, mid-court seat when this occurs - and he smiles wickedly at his cunningness.

2) Help others grow in Christ. As I mentioned…each person is in their own unique place with Christ. Help them and speak to them about the goodness of the Lord. Either they will listen or they won’t.

⁹One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: "Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent.

Acts 18:9

I’ll leave you with this passage from James:

¹⁹My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, ²⁰for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. ²¹Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

James 1:19-21

God bless you. And this is for His glory!