Anger, A Handle with Care Emotion

James 1:19-21 Is it right or wrong to be angry? Can a person be angry and still be a Christian? What about “righteous indignation”? Usually the answers we give to these and other similar questions become an effort to justify the emotion. Anger, like being happy, sad, depressed, etc. is a description of how we feel. The feeling, in and of itself is neither right nor wrong, it is a fact. Anger can be a very dangerous emotion, because by definition there is an object toward which it is directed, and it begs an action upon that object, most usually one that is destructive. Perhaps a better question than, “Is anger right or wrong?” might be, “What is causing us to become angry?” and “What are we doing with the anger that is generated?” Often, we tend to blame the things that are outside of our control for our anger. If only I didn’t have to deal with so and so. Or if I had a different job. Or lived in a different place. Etc. Even these things might be changeable given time, but the fact is that where ever we go, we take ourselves along. There are a few things that are very much under our control. Not getting enough rest can generate a great deal of anger. Putting more on our “plate” than God intended. Trying to do things that we really ought to be getting help with. Not seeking God in prayer for direction, wisdom, and strength. Seeing others as objects rather than people with feelings like ourselves. Unconsciously setting ourselves up to be angry. Even after getting all these things under control, we will still encounter anger at times. Then the problem becomes, what are we going to do with that anger. This is why the Scripture says, “be angry and sin not...” Eph. 4:26 and in our Scripture today, James 1.20 “for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.” Our anger needs to drive us to God for answers. If our anger can be directed toward positive solutions in ourselves and in others rather than in destruction, then we feel better and God gets glory.