Anxious Anger
Good Morning Friends,
Sometimes my family will turn to me and tell me that I have that I am making an angry face. I know exactly what they are talking about, for I do get angry sometimes. This last weekend we were hanging wall paper and re-screening part of our porch. Need I say more? The problem is that there is a spillover from even my angry face when things do not go exactly as planned.
There is a kind of violence that is formed when the social and the Spiritual are severed. Still anger is a natural emotion. The problem is that uncontrolled anger will have collateral damage that can be severe if not addressed. That is why today we explore some alternatives to the problem of Anxious Anger.
Scripture: Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful.
Colossians 3:15 (NRSV)
Do not fret because of the wicked; do not be envious of wrongdoers, for they will soon fade like the grass, and wither like the green herb. Trust in the LORD, and do good; so you will live in the land, and enjoy security. Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act. He will make your vindication shine like the light, and the justice of your cause like the noonday. Be still before the LORD, and wait patiently for him; do not fret over those who prosper in their way, over those who carry out evil devices. Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath. Do not fret–it leads only to evil. For the wicked shall be cut off, but those who wait for the LORD shall inherit the land. Yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look diligently for their place, they will not be there. But the meek shall inherit the land, and delight themselves in abundant prosperity.
Psalm 37:1-11 (NRSV)
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 your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)
Message: Getting angry is a temptation that can cascade over the edge that separates normal from abnormal. Thankfully this last weekend I did not go over the waterfall. What is amazing is that I did not even feel tempted. I have learned that anger is a natural emotion serving a purpose, but that sometimes, unchecked, it gets out of control. Friends, rage can be illogical, obsessive, unreasonable and destructive. This anger might stem from the rotten roots of injustice, jealousy, unmet needs, impatience, strife or abuse. It might be righteousness. We learn these behaviors from family and even our friends. The challenge is not to mask the emotion but to transform it. Repressing anger is like lighting a wastebasket afire and putting it in a closet. The fire might go out but then again it might burn the house down. The challenge is to convert this rage into courage. This is the right step toward victory and freedom. The wisdom is learning that getting angry is for the most part a time-wasting, ego bruising nuisance. Friends, there is something bigger going on here. The challenge is really whether or not we actually believe God is in control…if God is partnering with us to meet the situation. Friends, God does not want us to be a doormat but our Creator is a God of justice and wants us to know that the situation will be taken care of without our uncontrolled rage. If we are abiding with Christ, anger need not lead us into sin. Be patient. Wait for the Lord. There is a cure for the troubled heart. Just stop worrying, begin trusting….begin feeding on the faithfulness of Jesus.
Pray we confess our anger. Pray we consider how to divert our anger. Pray we recognize the problem, change our attitude and learn to forgive. Pray we control our anger. Pray we turn our anxious anger over to God using our energy in a way that honors God. Pray we begin to trust the Lord.
Blessings,
John Lawson
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