This week was our sixth week of the Recovery series. We talked about Resentment and Anger out of Ephesians 4. Here is a quick recap of this week’s gathering:
The first question we have to answer is do we rage out or do we rage in? In other words, is your anger active or passive? Is it internal or external? Because it’s one of the two. However, the idea that anger is always unhelpful is inaccurate. In many cases, anger is the correct response to the things that happen in our world. Anger is our response when reality as it is, because of what we love, is unacceptable. This is something called righteous anger. Righteous anger is when we are angry because God’s will is not being done. On the other hand unrighteous anger is when we’re angry because my will is not being done.
So if you never get angry, you’re wrong. The real problem with our anger isn’t that we get angry, but that we get angry at the wrong things. So here are four ways we can deal with unrighteous anger or channel righteous anger.
1. Admit it
You have to admit to the people closest to you that you are angry. That’s not comfortable conversation. Sometimes this means, we’ve got to go to people with whom we’re angry and confess it and apologize. Maybe with someone we’ve been harboring resentment or someone we’ve blown up on and confess to them the wrongfulness of our actions. Whatever it is, this is where it starts.
2. Analyze it
Determine the real root of your anger. Ask questions like: Is your anger righteous anger or unrighteous anger? What is your anger saying you love or are defending? Depending on how we answer these questions controls our next step.
3. Transform it
If our anger is unrighteous we have to remember that God is righteously angry over our sin. So angry, in fact, that he was willing to die for it. There was never a greater display of absorbing anger than on the cross. God came as man and we put him on a cross. We shouted, “Crucify him.” We rejected him. And he took it. While remembering the greater truth, that we wronged God and he responded with ultimate gentleness our unrighteous anger begins to shift. We will be free to respond well and our anger starts to wither. Grace, forgiveness and patience replace our wrath.
4. Pray it
When our anger is righteous, pray. Because for however angry we may be, God knows far more than us. Talk to God, beg for his action and his justice. If possible, get involved in changing the situation. Be the hands and feet of Jesus, an agent of reconciliation in the world where God seeks to make everything new.
Songs:
Oh God by Citizens
Forever Reign by Hillsong
You Have Searched me by Citizens and Saints