by Pastor Douglas Brauner

Looking to Jesus When Dealing With Anger

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.”
Ephesians 4:26-27 English Standard Version

There are days when we feel like a caged animal behind a fence and days when we feel like we’re viewing the caged animal. There are days when we are angry at people and there are days when we are the recipients of anger. There are times when we want to protect people from our anger and days when we need to be protected from the anger of others.

Paul, quoting Psalm 4:4, gives us permission to be angry. Anger is an emotion that all of us experience. Anger is our emotional response to people and situations when we are afraid or hurt. Anger comes and goes.

It’s what we do with our anger that matters.

Paul tells us not to let the sun go down on our anger. Sounds great, but so difficult to practice and sometimes it’s impractical. Maybe it’s best to understand that Paul is encouraging us to be angry but deal with it. We shouldn’t sweep our anger under the carpet when we are, or let anger control our lives.

Jesus was angry with his disciples for their treatment of children whose parents simply wanted him to bless their little ones. How did he deal with his anger? “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them for to such belongs the kingdom of God.” (Mark 10:14 ESV) He didn’t blow up at his disciples, yet they knew what made him mad.

Jesus felt the other side of the coin when, hanging on the cross, he said to those who crucified him, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34 ESV)

This Jesus who felt the anger of a sin-filled world will walk with you as you struggle with anger. In Christ’s mercy not only are you free to be angry but deal with it as he himself dealt with anger.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado