Robert Jones said that, "Anger is a universal problem, prevalent in every culture, experienced by every generation. No one is isolated from its presence or immune from it's poison. It permeates each person and spoils our most intimate relationships. Anger is a given part of our fallen fabric." Even the secular world would agree with this statement, and recent news has noted that outbursts of anger can give people a higher risk of heart problems. In this we can see how the common grace of God works in such a way that though man's foolish hearts are darkened, they can many times see that there is a negative result of their actions, meaning they still have a conscience and that in this there is a restraint of sin’s full effect on the world, for which we can give thanks to God.
But how do we deal with so prevalent and harmful a sin? Linda Searing of the Washington Post said, "Though anger is a universal emotion, it’s how the feeling is expressed that can affect not only the immediate situation but also the person’s mental and physical health, experts say." Searing made an important point when she said "it's how the feeling is expressed" that changes the situation and the person's health.
In this life we may never escape circumstances that will infuriate us because it's part of the human condition, but does that give us license to give our anger full vent when it arises? I think not. But I don't think we should pretend that we are never angry in an attempt to be holy either. Anger can lead to bitterness, slander, obscene talk and a whole host of ungodly consequences, including mental and physical health failure if it is channeled the wrong way.
If we keep a guard on how our anger is expressed in it's initial uprising, it may change our circumstances and keep our hearts far from both physical and spiritual risk. We must deal with our anger in a godly way as Christians, which includes "a firm belief in the sovereignty of God; a diligent pursuit of brotherly love that covers a multitude of sins and does not keep a record of wrongs; and a humble realization that, in comparison to my brother's sin against me, I am the ten-thousand-talent debtor to God." (Jerry Bridges). These principles may help us be,"Quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry" (James 1:19).
Searing, Linda. "People with Anger Issues May Be Putting Their Hearts at Risk."Washington Post. The Washington Post, 10 Mar. 2014. Web. 11 Mar. 2014.
Bridges, Jerry. Respectable Sins: Confronting the Sins We Tolerate. Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 2007. Print.
