Let’s Consider Human Anger
God created emotions and has more of them than we do. He is softer than moms and tougher then dads. God gave us all the emotions above. We ought naught ban any emotion but let’s look at some guardrails. Let’s consider human anger.
25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin”[a]: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 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.
29 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. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
God Has Much To Say About Anger
Regarding love, Corinthians says:
It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.
Paul instructs Timothy to teach:
Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing.
The Book of James says:
19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
Let’s Look More at Human Anger
So, the New Testament has much to say about anger.
Anger is a problem, but we really have this emotion.
However, burying anger is denial and the God wants sincerity.
Here a Google AI Overview may enlighten us:
Yes, anger is generally considered a secondary emotion, meaning it often arises as a response to other underlying emotions like fear, sadness, frustration, or hurt, rather than being the primary feeling itself; people often use anger to mask or protect more vulnerable emotions
Here, we can see much more. God gave us much more than anger as emotions and while anger can drive people away, these other emotions can draw people in.
Can we be more vulnerable and lead a more Godly life?
Let me open another thought. Anger was not accepted in my childhood home. So, I tend to become a victim when people treat me unfairly. I should have learned to express my anger in love. So, often I do not realize I am angry. I have learned when I get a heavy feeling just below my heart that I am turning to be a victim. Yes, we should listen to our body which God also made.
I also can be passive aggressive which is more unpleasant.
Yes, our emotions are complicated as they are so rich.
Human Anger Needs More Thinking
We need to be more open to investigate and notice our emotions to learn about them.
The Bible passage above does allow short term emotion that does not cause us to sin against others. I need that when unfairness arrives in some cases. In others, I may need to see my closest relations and know when their anger is actually something else. We can chose to comfort the emotion under what see.
Holding anger does lead to bitterness. It does eat at the soul, and it is unpleasant even to those around the bitter people. In these cases, if we cannot confront the one who harmed us long ago, we likely need help to give these people to God and let God bring justice you need. Let God stand between you and the one who harmed you and bring justice, so you can forgive them before God.
We Need To Look Deeper
Some anger against us is true and with God’s help we need to take it on to help us change. Other anger is lies and does not belong to us. We need to take it to God and let God take care of these words and heal us. We may need a safe helper to help us with discerning this. I have linked here with an organization that helped me and my family.
Anger is a danger to us, but repressing it is also a danger. Let us find in God’s rich understanding of us the wisdom to take the harm out of anger within and around us.
