Anger exists because we all have feelings\u2014we\u2019re human. Sometimes fury erupts due to our own weakness, and other times it surges because someone has sinned against us. Yet, \u201cGod has called us to live in peace\u201d (1 Corinthians 7:15).<\/p>\n
No matter how righteous our anger may be, we can be pretty sure it\u2019s mixed up with a bit of self-righteousness. This should lead us to be cautious about how we respond to hurt, especially because James notes that \u201chuman anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires\u201d (James 1:20). Psalm 141 explains why<\/em> I must ask God to \u201cset a guard over my mouth\u201d when I\u2019m mad\u2014it\u2019s so that my heart is not drawn \u201cto what is evil so that I take part in wicked deeds along with those who are evildoers\u201d (Psalm 141:3-4). It\u2019s awfully easy to lash out, to imitate those who hurt us instead of imitating Christ.<\/p>\n When we are furious, Scripture advises that we should \u201cTremble and do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent\u201d (Psalm 4:4). That well-worn advice my father used to offer about counting to ten (or ten thousand, if needed) rests on a piece of truth: Feelings pass. Or more accurately, most feelings pass if we let them<\/em>. Once the clouds of emotion have cleared, we\u2019re more likely to be able to respond than react.<\/p>\n Dealing with being hurt is hard; anger seems the first defense. Yet we know that hurt and suffering are part and parcel of the Christian life; the Bible doesn\u2019t promise that we will find happiness in this world. It is only in heaven that \u201cHe will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain\u201d (Revelation 21:4).<\/p>\n Most of us recognize that we need to let go of anger, that holding on usually hurts us<\/em> more than the one we\u2019re mad at. But the problem with letting go of anger is that it tends to resurface\u2026day after day. If you find yourself in this situation, pray Ephesians 4:31: \u201cLet all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away\u2026along with all malice.\u201d If the person you are angry with feels like an enemy, follow the command of Matthew 5:44-46 and pray for his soul and well-being. Finish by asking God that \u201cno \u2018root of bitterness\u2019 springs up and causes trouble\u201d (Hebrews 12:15) between you and this person.<\/p>\n \u201cDo not let the sun go down while you are still angry\u201d (Ephesians 4:26). The burden that anger places on our hearts can be lifted when we lift our hearts to God.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Anger exists because we all have feelings\u2014we\u2019re human. Sometimes fury erupts due to our own weakness, and other times it surges because someone has sinned against us. Yet, \u201cGod has called us to live in peace\u201d (1 Corinthians 7:15). No matter how righteous our anger may be, we can be pretty sure it\u2019s mixed up […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":61,"featured_media":30478,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"ep_exclude_from_search":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[395],"tags":[156,76,49,248,14],"ppma_author":[639],"class_list":["post-23675","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-encouraging-bible-verses","tag-death","tag-father","tag-peace","tag-scripture","tag-spiritual-growth"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n