“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.” (Ephesians 4:31)
“I’m not angry; I’m just irritated.” “I’m not mad; I’m just protecting myself.” “I’m really not angry; I’m just warning you about what a huge jerk that guy is so you can, you know, avoid him.”
One of the lies we love to tell ourselves is that we’re not really angry. Either because we think that feeling angry is wrong or that it makes us weak, we don’t want to admit it. But that lie keeps us from dealing with the anger; you can’t get rid of something you won’t admit is there.
Anger comes in lots of flavors: Bitterness is old anger we won’t let go of. Rage is fierce anger. Brawling is anger that wants to fight hard right now. Slander is more subtle; we use it to hurt by spreading lies or rumors or by telling unkind truths to people who don’t need to know. Malice is anger that wants to bring the pain, whatever it takes.
Paul said none of those feelings are wrong by themselves, but that all of them will lead you in a worthless direction. We’ve got to ditch them.
Think: Do you ever have trouble admitting that you’re feeling angry? Why do you think that is? Which of these kinds of anger have you felt most often?
Pray: Ask God to help you to be honest about your anger and to give you the faith in him to let it go.
Do: Notice this week if any of your friends or family members seem to have trouble admitting that they feel angry.