The danger of anger

Anger is a normal sentiment we feel when something unjust happened and when someone has let us down or hurt us, be it deliberately or not. This anger usually comes as a reaction to injustice and sin. The problem with anger is not anger itself, but anger that remains unresolved leading to bitterness and unforgiveness.

If we are very hurt and angry, our anger can overcome us. Bitterness can take on a power all of its own and leads to hate. This is quite the opposite from the love that we Christians have always seek to recognize within us. We can only give out the stirring love that God provides in our lives.

In Mark 11:25, we read of the importance of forgiveness. Forgiveness is described as being necessarily present before we can know the forgiveness of God for our sins. To forgive is an act of obedience. God requires this of us and surely for a good reason. As God through Christ has forgiven us of so much sin, we need to respect this gift of forgiveness by extending a forgiving attitude towards those that have wronged us. The consequence of us not forgiving others would be an inability for us to know the forgiveness that God has offered us. If we are not merciful as he has been merciful to us, where really is our repentance? How can we claim to have known his grace?

Anger can cause a rift between us and God, and also disfunctionality within us. If we want to be free of the pain and the affects of pain that our hurt emanates from within ourselves, we need to know healing. Without forgiveness, we are not co-operating with God’s will, and therefore are not in a place of grace in order to receive healing for the hurt that we have experienced. Forgiveness is an essential element to the process of inner healing.

Deep bitterness can give rise to many emotional and psychological problems such as depression and paranoia. Matthew 5: 21-26 covers anger, forgiveness and reconciliation. As Jesus clearly teaches, we should always try to make amends with people that we have fallen out of friendship with. It may not always be the case that others are prepared to forgive us when we have wronged them or vice versa, but the act of animating our remorse to them is essential. Through this act we are communicating our own desire for peace with the other person as well as God’s requirement towards everyone of love and forgiveness.

Forgiveness is not easy. Depending on the degree of hurt or betrayal that is involved, it will often take time and effort. However, when a hurt person actually comes to the place where personal happiness, emotional freedom and relationship with God depends on that forgiveness, then the grace of God is needed to see them through in order to effectively control the anger and inviting God to deal with it.

In a nut shell, irrespective of race or religion, we can choose forgiveness, get rid of those painful feelings, arrive at peace and hope, and in the process also take this message all around to other people.