“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. Eph. 4:26-27
Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools. Eccl. 7:9
My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. James 1:19-20
You must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Col. 3:8
Dear Lord Jesus, these Scriptures are so convicting. Help me steward my anger. It’s always been a confusing, immobilizing, damaging emotion to me, because I’ve been on the destructive end of anger and rage. I remember the fear, the confusion, the shame, and the ambivalence I felt when I was the target of this important, but lethal emotion. I don’t wish such a crushing of the spirit on anyone.
But I’m just as quick to own the ways my anger has also harmed people I love. Though I don’t get loud and large, I can my passive aggressive anger has never resulted in anything good, anything I’m proud of. I praise you for your kindness, mercy and grace for me, Lord Jesus.
As I meditate on these Scriptures, I realize you’re not telling me never to be angry, but to be careful not to sin in my anger. Jesus, help me be angry at the right time, for the right reasons, in the right way. Give me fire in the face of injustice, but wisdom in executing an appropriate response.
Lord Jesus, only you can melt the icy tension in my heart—when I get provoked or don’t process things well. Only you can change my rigidity into playfulness. Only you can redirect the wasted energy of my anger into patience and loving-kindness. Only you can replace my idol of control with a greater worship of you and submission to your purposes.
Right now, Lord Jesus, I throw open every door and window of my heart. Come in and establish multiple footholds of mercy, grace, and compassion. I abandon myself to your beauty and bounty today. So very Amen I pray, in your peerless and priceless name.