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Unorthodox Anger
Clenched fists, gritting teeth, tightness in my chest, eyebrows lower, lips tighten – I want nothing more than to explode and make someone else or something else experience what I am feeling.
We all know that feeling I don’t care what you call it anger, frustration, pissed off.
I’ve spent years angry…
I started out angry at my parents and teachers just because;
I got angry that I didn’t fit in but I wanted to belong;
I was angry that others made fun of me even though I tried to laugh it off;
I was angry that I felt weak even when I acted strong;
I was angry that I didn’t have what others had even though I mocked them for having it;
I was angry that when I tried I failed so I quit trying;
I was angry at myself for being angry all the time and not knowing what to do about it…
In my anger, I caused fights, I broke things, I said words I could never take back, I destroyed relationships, I scared friendships, I shattered trust, I lashed out physically and verbally at anything and anyone that was in striking distance.
You know what I learned in all my anger? I learned that no matter the situation, no matter the cause… I was the common denominator.
I wanted change, I wanted something different, and I wanted to see things happen in my life… But I wasn’t willing to face the fact that I was the problem.
See, anger wasn’t my problem
In Ephesians 4:26 we are told “In your anger do not sin”.
Now what we do with our anger…
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. Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands that they may have something to share with those in need. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. (Ephesians 4:26-31)
There is nothing wrong with anger… if we are angry for the right reasons and if we respond the right way.
Anger has inspired men and women to do powerful things…
Because of anger, men fought for freedom.
Because of anger, men wrote laws and changed legislation.
Because of anger, men worked tirelessly looking to cure diseases.
Because of anger, men have changed the world.
But the difference between those guys and me… and I am willing to bet you as well.
They got angry about the right things and they did something with their anger. They didn’t get pissed about their ego or image. They got pissed about injustice about other people’s situations.
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. (James1:19-20)
What God gets angry about isn’t traffic, getting cut off, waiting in line behind the person who decided to pay for their groceries in pennies. God is angered by His children being mistreated, by the widows who have been abandoned, by His Church turning a blind eye to the needy.
Guys, its ok to be angry… In fact I think God would want some of us to get angrier, but he wants us to do it for the right reasons and deal with our anger in the right ways.
Thanks for listening to this episode of Unorthodox Man! If you’d like to find out more about us, check us out at UnorthodoxMan.com. If you’d like to join our community and be a part of our conversation, find us on Facebook.
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