On Emotions and Anger

Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God. (1 Corinthians 4:5)

The Oxford Dictionary defines emotions as a “strong feeling deriving from one’s circumstances, mood, or relationships with others” while the “Baker’s evangelical dictionary of Biblical Theology” defines anger as a “Strong emotional reaction of displeasure, often leading to plans for revenge or punishment.” Psychologists are agreed that “anger is a primary, natural, and mature emotion experienced by all humans at times, and as something that has functional value for survival. Anger can mobilize psychological resources for corrective action. Uncontrolled anger can however negatively affect personal or social well-being and cause a lot of external damage.”

Thus anger can be righteous depending on one’s ability to control and direct it for positive effect. Righteous anger is controlled, expressed in love and aimed at correction while sinful anger is uncontrolled, exhibits hatred and is aimed at revenge and inflicting greater damage on the perceived offender.

The challenge with sinful anger is the belief by a person that he or she is right and justified in the action taken, because there was an offence against self and such reaction is seen as justified. However, because the person offended is out of control, the revenge action may not be proportionate to the offence committed and there is also no attempt to correct the wrong but rather a case of ‘pay back’ and justifying self. In Genesis 34:1-31, Simeon and Levi, sons of Jacob were angry that their sister Dina was defiled by Shechem, son of Hamor. A wrong was done in this case but Simeon and Levi ignored Shechem’s attempt to make amends and went ahead to kill innocent people. Throughout history, perceived wrongs have led many to uncontrolled anger that has destroyed nations and relationships. The world will be a better place and a lot of the hurting would have been avoided, if only we have confidence in God’s promise and are obedient to His instructions as reflected in Romans 12:19 where Apostle Paul wrote ‘Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath (of God); for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord.”

 An antidote to anger can be found in our capacity to accept that people can see things differently from us and also accepting our limitations in knowing people’s intentions. Paul counselled in 1 Corinthians 4:5 of this reality, encouraging us to wait until the appointed time when Christ will come and all the intentions of the heart will be revealed and our praise or otherwise will come from God. We should not fall into the trap of Cain who rather than seeing himself as the problem for his sacrifice not being accepted by God and repenting but looked at Abel as the problem, which led to his killing him (Genesis 4:1-12a). Jesus warns in Matthew 5:22 “But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment…”

Christians are expected to focus their anger on sin and not the sinner. We have to be firm in rebuking sin and turning sinners to the way of light. Jesus showed an example in righteous anger when He drove away those that were buying and selling in the temple (Mark 11:15-18). There was no desire for personal vengeance hence He drove them out and at the same time taught what the house of the Lord should be used for.

This week, as the Church focusses on the “Mind of Christ”, we have His example to follow in our daily lives; to love our neighbours, no matter the pain they may have caused us and lead them to the path of righteousness. We have to develop the ability to manage our emotions and anger by allowing the word of God to dwell in us and the Holy Spirit to do His work in our lives. The Holy Scriptures counsel in James 1:19-20; “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.”

Have a stress-free week as you keep your anger and emotions under His control.

Your brother, Vicar & Archdeacon

S. Igein Isemede.

 GRUMBLERS’ SONG

 In country, town or city some people can be found

Who spend their lives in grumbling at ev-‘ry-thing around;

O yes, they always grumble, no matter what we say,

For these are chronic grumblers and they grumble night and day.

 CHORUS:

O they grumble on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday,

Grumble on Thursday too,  Grumble on Friday, Saturday, Sunday,

Grumble the whole week thru.      (Repeat)

  They grumble in the city, they grumble on the farm,

They grumble at their neighbours, they think it is no harm;

They grumble at their husbands, they grumble at their wives,

They grumble at their children; but the grumbler never thrives.

 They grumble when it’s raining, they grumble when it’s dry,

And if the crops are failing they grumble and they sigh,

They grumble at low prices and grumble when they’re high,

They grumble all the year ‘round and they grumble till they die

 They grumble at the preacher, they grumble at the prayer

They grumble at his preaching, they grumble ev-rywhere

They grumble at God’s people and say ‘tis all display;

But holy folks don’t grumble, they have only time to pray.

 If you don’t quit your grumbling and stop it now and here,

You’ll never get to heaven, no grumblers enter here

Repent and be converted, be saved from all your sin;

You know that grumbling Christians find it hard a crown to win.