Why Are You So Mad?

Scriptures: Ephesians 4:26-27, Ephesians 4:30-32, James 4:1-10

Be Angry but Do Not Sin

As human beings, we can all relate to struggling with anger. It does not matter how patient, kind, and lovable we are. At a given moment, we all get angry. The Bible recognizes that this is a common reaction, yet it warns us about its consequences. 

A survey shows that 70 percent of new American referees quit their jobs within the first three years of work. Based on the study carried out by the National Association of Sports officials, all referees agreed on their reason for quitting: pervasive abuse from parents and coaches. The question that arises from this survey is, why do we get angry at what is supposed to be a fun time? How is it possible that something that should be a pleasant and enjoyable time becomes a “war zone”?

Our culture is filled with movies that show us people getting mad and expressing their fury for different reasons and in different ways: Mad Max, Falling Down, Anger Management. Characters react with increasing violence facing their frustrations. It is very common; it is human. The well-known Latin saying states, “Errare umanum est, perseverare autem diabolicum” – to err is human, but to persist is diabolical.

If anger is so common among us human beings, what is the problem? The Bible warns us, “In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold” (Ephesians 4:26–27). 

It is crystal clear that the reaction of anger is normal, but the problem is that it can become sinful. The results of anger can hurt us and our relationships. All through these days, we will analyze the “why” behind our anger; we will go to the root of it, expose it, and get rid of all the hindrances that stop us from walking in righteousness.

Thought of the Day

It is ok to get angry, it is not ok to sin because of anger. 

Scriptures: Ephesians 4:26-27, Ephesians 4:30-32, James 4:1-10, Mark 1:43, Mark 3:5, Mark 10:13-16, Mark 11:15-17, John 11:33-38

Why are you angry? 

Considering the matter of anger, we could certainly conclude that anger is a secondary emotion; it is the result of another feeling. Anger is at the surface, but the emotion that triggers it is the root of the problem. That is the answer to your why. It is precisely this which makes the difference between legitimate anger (not sinful) and illegitimate anger (sinful). The question that we should ask ourselves is the following: “why am I angry?” Is it because of my preferences or is it because of God’s purposes? There is a vast difference between the two. 

When you get angry because your desires are not met, the reason behind your why is your preferences. There is something that you want, but that you are not getting. This can be: respect, love, the fastest lane in the highway, a parking space, the best table at a restaurant, and so on.  Your selfishness is being confronted, and you want to “fight back.” You feel that you “deserve” something that you are not getting. We get frustrated because of unmet expectations. 

The second reason behind your why is utterly different. You get angry because God’s purposes are challenged. Something illegitimate takes place, and that makes us angry. Some people call this “holy anger.” William Wilberforce headed the parliamentary campaign against the British slave trade for twenty years until the passage of the Slave Trade Act of 1807. He and other evangelicals were horrified by what they perceived as a depraved and un-Christian trade, and the greed and avarice of the owners and traders of slaves. God created men in His image and likeness. To see these truths challenged raised “holy anger” in Christians who put God’s purposes first. 

Jesus is always the ultimate example of legitimate anger. In today’s Bible reading you will see some examples of legitimate anger expressions and the reasons behind them. The question we should all ask when anger arises is, why am I angry? The answer will allow us to realize its legitimacy. 

Thought of the Day

When I get angry, I need to ask myself, “Why am I angry? Is it because my preferences or God’s purposes are being challenged?” 

Scriptures: Psalms 4:4, Proverbs 19:11, James 1:19-21, 1 John 1:9

What is the Result of your Anger?

In the past few days, we have seen that getting angry is a common human reaction. We have considered that the Bible warns us regarding the root of the problem, the reason behind anger that triggers this emotion. Today, we are going to reflect on the second question we should ask ourselves when considering if our anger is sin. Whathas resulted from our anger? Hurt or help?  

When anger is the result of God’s purposes being challenged, the result of it will be to help. When William Wilberforce saw how slaves were being treated, his anger resulted in the abolishment of the slave trade in the United Kingdom. Jesus got angry when He saw that the Pharisees lacked compassion for someone in need. His anger resulted in a leper being healed. He flipped the tables in the temple because His house had become a market instead of being a house of prayer. When God’s intent (purpose) was being challenged, Jesus’ anger resulted in the reestablishment of God’s original purpose, in help for those in need.

On the contrary, when anger is the result of our preferences or the expression of hurt and pain, we will end up making matters worse. Either our health or our relationships will get hurt. Long-term anger has been linked to: high blood pressure, heart conditions, skin disorders, and digestive problems. 

Behind the reason (why) and the result (what) of our anger, there is always a who (the recipient of our fury), and most of the time they are disconnected. For example, you are mad at your boss, and your kids get unjustly reprimanded when you arrive home. When we do not address the root of the problem and deal with it as soon as possible, it results in two issues instead of just one. One problem because of the wrong why (the cause), and another problem with the who (the recipient of our anger, our health or our relationships). 

The Bible clearly states that “… human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires” (James 1:20). We must pay attention to the fruit of our anger. If it does not result in us helping others, then we must address it “before the sun goes down.” Our God is more than willing to forgive us and purify us from all unrighteousness (1 John1:9). 

Thought of the Day

When I get angry, I need to ask myself, “What is the result of my anger? Hurt or help?”

Scriptures: John 10:10, Ephesians 4:30-32, Luke 22:39-46, Ephesians 6:10-18

The Devil’s Opportunity

Have you ever had revenge conversations going on in your mind? Do you go back to discussions and “rewrite” the scene according to what you should have said instead of what you did say? That is an unsettled moment. When we do not deal with anger before the sun goes down, and when we carry it into the following day, the Bible says that we are giving the Devil a foothold, an opportunity to make things worse. Satan gets a hold of us when we do not deal with anger as soon as possible.

When we give the Devil an opportunity, he can expand small things and make them big. Remember that he is the father of lies, he came to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). When we choose to carry our anger into the following day, we allow Satan to hurt our relationship with God, others, and ourselves. 

What is God’s advice on the matter? First, daily make it right! Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. Get it over as soon as possible. Small bricks build big walls. It separates us from God and others. Secondly, choose to forgive. In Ephesians 4:31–32 we read, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” We can forgive because we have been forgiven. 

Thought of the Day

Choose to forgive daily! Do not give the Devil an opportunity to separate you from God and others.  

Scriptures: Psalms 139:23-24, Lamentations 3:22-23, Hebrews 4:16

Dive Deep into Your Heart

One of the hardest things to do in life is to examine yourself. In my experience, it is not easy. In the Psalms, we often read that the psalmist asks God to examine his heart: “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23­–24). 

Knowing that God’s compassions are new every morning and that we can approach the throne of grace with confidence and find grace, allows us not to doubt God’s love for us. Having the assurance of God’s forgiveness gives us the strength to forgive others. 

Let me encourage you to dive deep into your heart. If you are, or have been angry, ask yourself today, “Why is it that I am angry? What has been the result of my anger? Who has been hurt because of it? Have I been giving the devil a foothold in my life?” Ask God to search your heart and to lead you in the everlasting way. 

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, today I lay down my hurts and fears. Help me understand why I am really angry. Help me to see the result of my sin, if it has been helping or hurting others. 

If I have hurt others, I ask for your forgiveness. I confess my sin against you, help me to forgive those who have hurt me. 

I do not want to give the devil an opportunity to hurt my relationship with you Lord, nor with others. Help me to forgive, I choose forgiveness. 

Jesus, teach me to understand your purposes, show me when your original intents are being challenged, and give me the strength to address the problem righteously.

Holy Spirit, please remind me not to let the sun set on my anger. Search me and if there is any offensive way in me, lead me in the everlasting way.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Thought of the Day

I can forgive others because I have been forgiven.