Concerning Anger

Today's readings: Ps 24, 29; Job 38:18-41; Rev 18:1-8; Matt 5:21-26

Jesus had some strong teachings about anger. In the Sermon on the Mount, he introduces the topic of anger by way of murder. He says not only will murderers be judged, but so will those who are angry (Matt 5:21-22). Jesus consistently teaches us that sticking to the letter of the law is useless if our hearts are corrupt. Anger is a precedent to many terrible actions (up to and including murder), so holding on to anger corrupts our hearts. Jesus tells us we shouldn’t even make an offering if a brother or sister has something against us, but should instead set aside the offering until we can make things right (vv. 23-24). God desires a contrite and loving heart above any sacrifice.

Jesus is hardly the first prophet to remind the Jewish people that sacrifice without mercy is offensive to God. Prophets like Isaiah and Micah state this explicitly, and the idea is present in many Psalms. Psalm 24 describes people who are allowed to enter God’s temple, and it lists their moral (rather than ceremonial) qualities: clean hands, pure hearts, truthful souls, and truthful lips (Ps 24:4-5). A pure heart is not an angry heart.

Are we never allowed to feel anger? Of course we are. God would not make such an impossible demand of us. Denying anger is actually dangerous; we can’t deal with what we don’t admit, and what we don’t admit finds other, harmful ways to express itself. Jesus and the prophets expect us to deal with our anger in a constructive, loving way that does not damage the community. By saying we need to make things right, Jesus acknowledges that we will indeed feel anger, and at the same time teaches us we are responsible to do something about it.

While anger may be an unavoidable part of the human experience, it is not unbeatable. We have a choice about whether we allow anger to set in our hearts like concrete, or crumble through our fingers like sand. God knows we can be tempted to use anger to deflect other, more painful emotions, but this is not a healthy option. Anger, like all emotions, can be a useful tool. Usually it tells us something needs to change. We must learn to recognize when that something is us.

Comfort: God wants us all to have peaceful, loving hearts.

Challenge: The next time you are angry, ask yourself what needs to change.

Prayer: God of rest, help me lay down my burden of anger.

Evening reading: Ps 8, 84

Tomorrow's readings: Ps 56, 57, 58; Job 40:1-24; Acts 15:36-16:5; John 11:55-12:8