You Wouldn't Like Me When I'm Angry

We all know that anger isn't really great emotion to have. There are countless things that provoke us to anger; anything from the state of the world to our kid's behavior to stubbing our toe while walking to the bathroom. It's a natural human reaction to have and we all experience it. Some of us more often than others. But what does the bible say about it?

Ecclesiastes 7:9 is a pretty simple verse about anger saying "Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools." But does this mean that feeling anger means we are fools? Maybe, haha. But looking closer at the verse and comparing to other verses in the bible about anger, I think what Solomon was talking about is being quick to anger and having an angry spirit. Having a short fuse and harboring angry feelings are the acts of fools. Proverbs 29:11 says "A fool uttereth all his mind: but a wise [man] keepeth it in till afterwards." We've all said hateful things we didn't mean or said things out of spite without thinking before we spoke. Proverbs 15:1 tells us "... grievous words stir up anger". But God knows we're going to feel angry. And the feeling of angry is not inherently a sin, but it can definitely lead to sin and God does not want us being overcome by it. Lucky for us, he also gave us verses in the bible to help guide us in dealing with this very human emotion.

For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. James 1:20

God is clear that anger does not help nurture your relationship with him nor does it glorify him. Anger can be a force of corruption in our lives when it starts to take hold and goes unchecked. Proverbs 15:18 says "A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but [he that is] slow to anger appeaseth strife." Anger usually just causes more anger and does nothing to enrich our lives, the lives of others, or magnify God.

God tells us over and over again, in his word, to be SLOW to anger.

Proverbs 14:29- [He that is] slow to wrath [is] of great understanding: but [he that is] hasty of spirit exalteth folly.

James 1:19-20- Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

Proverbs 16:32- [He that is] slow to anger [is] better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

He knows we're going to get upset and angry. It's not about feeling the emotion of anger. God doesn't want this emotion to take over. He doesn't want it to degrade his glory or destroy our relationship with him. He doesn't want our anger to corrupt others. He doesn't want us to have an angry spirit. He doesn't want to the feeling of anger to sit and fester within us. Ephesians 4:26 says "Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:"

God wants us to be more like him: "The LORD [is] merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy." Psalms 103:8 And Ephesians 4:31-32 tells us "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."

There's SO much to be angry about these days. Some of us are angry for no reason. But in these times when there is so much hate and anger and wrath and strife, let's be more like God. Let's do as he commands us in his word. Let's be slow to anger. Let's slow to speak but swift to hear. Let's think about our words and our actions. Let's put away bitterness and not let anger consume us. Let's be merciful and gracious. Let's be forgiving and tenderhearted towards each other. Let's glorify God.