Hot Dog
Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. “In your anger do not sin:” Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. 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. Ephesians 4:25-28
INSIGHT
My brother-in-law surprised our family for Christmas and built us a backyard deck. I don't know who was more excited - my wife or Meg, our mini-golden doodle puppy. To celebrate his work, we spent an enjoyable night on the deck around the firepit. Like most puppies, Meg wanted to join in on the festivities and be part of the party.
Oblivious to her new surroundings but just as excited, Meg's tail waved enthusiastically from side to side. Little did she know that inches only separated her from catching fire and instantly becoming a "hot dog." It wasn't until she felt the heat start to singe her tail that she skirted away from danger.
When it comes to our anger, many of us, myself included, are much like Meg. We're tragically unaware of where rage festers underneath the surface of our hearts. Instead of addressing our fury, we tiptoe around it and allow it to simmer. We spend more effort trying to justify our response than dealing with our anger. We fan the flames to see how far we can go without getting burned.
There's danger in disregarding our anger or taking our rage lightly. It is no wonder that Scripture urges us not to let the sun go down on our anger (Ephesians 4:26) and to do everything in our power to squelch it (Colossians 3:8, Ephesians 4:31).
Selfishness, ungratefulness, and impatience often define our anger. Yet, living in this fallen and mad world, sometimes, our anger is justified. But, we must be careful not to justify our anger and unforgiveness because it places us on shaky ground. We either become a vigilante who takes matters into our own hands, or we play the victim card for the rest of our days.
The longer we let anger fester, the more it clouds our judgment. In a rage, we spin out of control. Our angry responses get us nowhere. It leaves our hearts extremely vulnerable and causes us not to think clearly. Proverbs 27:4 compares anger to a flood in its power to destroy and harm. It consumes our thoughts and dictates our actions, but it rarely solves problems and tends to produce more conflict and trouble. When we lose our cool, we tend to act like a fool (Proverbs 14:7, Ecclesiastes 7:9).
Most importantly, man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. (James 1:20). Our anger will bait us into doing things we regret and destroy the most important things - our relationships. Identifying our rage and what fuels it is the first step to conquering anger. But we can't stop there. We've got to go farther than anger management. Anger is not something to be managed; we must master it.
REFLECTION
If you don't define your anger, your anger will define you. In what ways have you allowed your anger to shape your identity?
How is your anger inhibiting your connections with others?
PRAYER
God, instead of trying to justify my anger, may I spend my energy on mastering my rage. Too often, I take my anger lightly. I lose sight of the distance it creates in my relationships. When I display selfish anger, I cease to reflect Your heart and Your character. Help me to become a person who is patient, loving, and forgiving. Amen.
