I’m not naturally driven to anger. Disappointment, yes. Sadness, yes. But anger? Not usually.
However, since starting to become more aware of current events, I definitely am becoming more acquainted with anger. I don’t enjoy being angry: I don’t like feeling out of control, fists clenched, fire on the inside.
But there is a type of anger that is necessary.
If you can hear about abortion and remain calm, there’s a problem. If you can hear about children being taught sex ed in classrooms around America and not be fazed, there’s a problem.
The Bible talks about righteous anger. And these modern-day issues should bring out righteous anger in you.
Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger. Ephesians 4:26
We talked about anger the other day in church, and it was so timely considering the leaked Supreme Court documents conundrum. Because all day I’ve been seeing Pro-Choicers going off in favor of murder. And yes—it made me angry.
Why it’s ok to be angry sometimes
Anger on behalf of someone else (most often God) is usually okay because it comes from a selfless place.
We hear about abortion, and we are angry on behalf of the child that will never be.
We hear about sex ed being taught in kindergarten, and we are angry on behalf of the kindergarteners that are being actively groomed by foolish, depraved adults.
We actively see people blaspheming God: in movies, in songs, online. That should make us angry on His behalf, zealous for His name to be praised and honored.
A healthy dose of anger shows that we are sensitive to sin, especially those sins that hurt people or demean our all-powerful, all-mighty God. It shows that we care, that we are protective over things that matter.
So, take a look at what you’ve gotten angry about over the past week. Was it righteous anger? Were there times you should’ve been angry, but weren’t?
Let’s reclaim anger. Note this: any emotion God shows is perfect and without sin, and should be copied by us. The Bible talks about God’s anger A LOT (especially in the Old Testament), so we should seek to hone this sinless anger in our lives with God’s guidance over our lifetimes.
