A Word on Anger

The greatest discovery of any generation is that a human can alter his life by altering his attitude (William James). Anybody can become angry – that is easy. But to be angry with the right person and to the right degree and at the right time and for the right purpose and in the right way – that is not within everybody’s power and is not easy (Aristotle). You will not be punished for your anger; you will be punished by your anger (Buddha). It seems the only time I open my mouth is to change feet (Anonymous).

Many people have an opinion on anger and its effects on our psyche. Jesus Himself was angry at times (Mark 3:5), the same as our Father was (Hebrews 3:11). God is not against anger, since it has its purpose. But there is a righteous anger, and a wrong anger.

Be angry and do not sin (Psalm 4:4). Do not let the sun go down on your anger, and so give the devil an opportunity (Ephesians 4:26-27). Most of the time anger is cruel (Proverbs 27:4), and so the wise man turns from anger (Proverbs 29:8).

My life is in the hands of any fool who makes me lose my temper (Joseph Hunter). Anger, if not restrained, is frequently more hurtful to us than the injury that provokes it (Seneca). It is not events but our opinions about those events that cause us suffering (Epictetus). The greatest weapon against anger and stress is our ability to choose one thought over another (William James).

So everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and even slower to anger, for man’s anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness (James 1:19-20). [Always remember Jonah’s observation] I knew that You are a merciful and companionate God, slow to become angry, and rich in faithful love (Jonah 4:2). Let us be imitators of God our Father (Ephesians 5:1).