Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds and be silent. Psalm 4:4 ESV
I have discovered that life offers me three ways of dealing with my anger.
- Deny my feelings
- Admit my feelings and act upon them
- Admit my feelings and surrender them to God
The first option just leaves me frustrated and tied up in knots. It’s a bit like denying a sliver in my foot. Truth is, it’s there and I need to deal with it. Suppressing my emotions may eventually lead to deeper and darker feelings like hatred or bitterness.
The second option is self-defeating. In Psalm 4, David states, “Be angry.” In other words, admit that you are human and prone to anger but do not act upon it. I think of King Saul whose overwhelming jealousy so consumed him that it led him to make several attempts on David’s life. On the flip side, David – even when he had the opportunity – refused to lay a hand on God’s anointed.
The third option is where we want to focus our attention. Instead of denying our emotions or acting upon them, confess and surrender them to God. Romans 12:19 tells us, “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’” I’m not saying it will be easy. I’ll be honest with you; lately, it’s been a daily struggle for me as I witness all the injustice happening in our country and around the world.
Truth is, God never promised life would be fair. God never said we would be immune from injustice. What He does promise is that justice will be meted out when and as He sees fit. He sees the bigger picture, I do not. He will handle it, I must not. In the end, it all boils down to this one truth: He is God and I am not.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, into your hands I surrender all of my anger, my frustration, my disappointment, knowing you will fulfill your purpose in my life, in our country, and around the world. You see the bigger picture, while I see only in part. Help me be still and trust you with the future. In your name, I pray, Amen.
Thought: “Accepting that we are angry is a healthy and appropriate response as long as we don’t get stuck in it. Acknowledging it is one way of going through it.” Madeleine L’Engle