There are a lot of angry people lately. We all have pet peeves. Little things that make you mad. A lot of mine center around other drivers. I don’t mind someone doing 50 in a 55 zone, but when it drops down to 35 and they keep going at 50, I have been known to insult their mental competence, family members, and truly exercise the extensive vocabulary that I have learned over the years. Since I have such a loving wife who cares about me, she would ask me to stop insulting other drivers. I have tried to get better. I would call them fecal matter head instead of something else and I would ask Jesus to protect the ones who forget there is no reset button on the highway like the one in the Grand Theft Auto video game. My goal is to pray for all the rude people who don’t use their blinker and leave me sitting when I could have turned.

What does this have to do with anything except that I am being sinful. With the recent murder of Charlie Kirk, there are a lot of angry people lately and also a lot people saying that true Christians don’t get angry. Well…. not exactly. In Ephesians 4:26-27, it does say 26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. For example, Cain’s problem with anger in Genesis was wrong but it wasn’t because he became angry. It was how he reacted in his anger. Cain’s anger turned to deadly actions. Anger is a God given powerful emotion with intensity that ranges from being frustrated to severe fury. It can last from a few seconds to a lifetime, but it is God given and not a bad thing. Anger itself is not a sin. What we do in our anger determines whether we sin. Anger is a response to a real or perceived injustice such as someone being rude, and it inspires a powerful drive that allows us to defend good or attack evil. Even Jesus showed anger. In Mark 3:4-4 4 Then Jesus asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they remained silent.5 He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored. Anger is mentioned more than five hundred times in Scripture; the only emotion in the Bible more common than anger is love. Anger first appears in Genesis 4:5 and last appears in Revelations 19:15. I say again: Anger is not bad. What you do with your anger can be bad. Anger can lead to healthy or unhealthy/sinful behavior. Careful assertiveness is the proper, healthy response to anger that involves problem solving and compassion. Violence or aggression is an unhealthy/sinful response to anger that involves hurting or controlling others, revenge, or hatred. That is not the Christian way that everyone should be addressing. Your goal is not to be “anger free”. Instead, focus on the source of the anger. This is maybe where originally the term “ time out ” was meant to be used when we want our kids to behave, but we adults need “time outs” too. A person in a state of fury is not equipped to deal, in a Christian manner, with anger. First there needs to be a lessoning of the fury that can lead to lashing out. I see too many people saying bad things about others in response to Charlie’s murder. That lashing out or insulting others plays directly into the sinful and hateful behavior that satan seeks.

The answer is that we need to control it. There are many instances in scripture that provide insight to control. In Proverbs 29:11, it says 11 Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Remember to follow God’s will as in Romans 12:2: Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is: his good, pleasing and perfect will. You need to avoid speaking out in anger or seeking revenge to hateful words or actions. Instead use 1 Cor 10:13: 13 No tes thas overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tested beyond what you can bear. But when you are tested, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. Because like I said earlier from Ephesians 4 : 26 – 27: “ Be angry , and do not sin ” : do not let the sun go down on your wrath , nor give place to the devil.

And in all things, pray. In the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Philippians (Philippians 4:6-7) which says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus”. The verse is encouragement for believers to turn their anger, worries and concerns over to God through prayer, rather than succumbing to anxiety or anger. By doing so, they can find that blessed peace that surpasses human understanding. You see, even true followers of Christ can become angry, but we must not use our anger to sin.

I know that person driving like a frustrated Mario Andretti is not going to change without God sending someone or something to change them, but maybe a few more prayers might speed the process. God’s Grace is free. If we can spread the small level of Grace that God has given us, maybe someone will turn their blinker on instead of exercising their free will to be rude. Remember, it is okay to get mad, but control it. That is how we want to follow God.

LET US PRAY: Lord, we all get angry. Anger is an emotion that You have given us, and your Word teaches us clearly about the constructive and destructive force that is anger. Help us to follow Your Word, Lord. Teach us to control our anger when we have been threatened and wronged. Bless us, God, that we might see clearly and not hurt others in our anger.