Biblical truth about anger

A friend asked me for theological and counseling resources related to anger.   In putting together some materials, I was reminded of two important biblical truths about anger that have helped me in my own life, and in counseling others: 

The first is encapsulated by something that C.S. Lewis wrote in one of his poems, "Anger's the anesthetic of the mind."   That is, we feel angry to feel better.  We express anger to feel better or to fix a situation that seems wrong.  When God blessed Abel, Cain was "very angry." (Gen 4:5)  God encouraged him to "do well," (Gen 4:7) but rather than engage his mind and the Lord in how to do well, he sought a shortcut to feeling better by giving full vent to envy and resentment.   It is natural, in the flesh, to try to correct wrongs and hurts through anger.  It honestly feels like it's going to help.  This is why James needed to warn us that "the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God."   It's hard to believe that sometimes.  The feeling that our anger is productive for justice is so seductive.  But in fact, our anger is a way of numbing ourselves from the feelings with which we can cry out to God.  Anger feeds pride and circumvents sorrowful dependence.

The second (which I first learned from John Piper in Future Grace ) is that trust in God's wrath is the best antidote to anger.  Every wrong perpetrated against me or anyone else will be punished in hell.  Every one.  The punishment will either rest on the perpetrator or (if s/he embraces Christ for forgiveness and righteousness), on Jesus Christ.  Either way, justice will be done!   Paul instructs us to rest in the knowledge of God's wrath and justice: "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.” (Romans 12:19)   David knew this when he acted with unbelievable restraint and felt such unbelievable humility in the face of Saul's anger and wrongdoing.  Over and over he says to Saul, "May the Lord judge between me and you, may the Lord avenge me against you, but my hand shall not be against you." (1 Samuel 24:12).

These truths together can elucidate almost any situation that relates to anger.   They draw out the deep waters of the heart (Prov 20:5) about which we are often deceived (Jer 17:9), and point a way toward peace and purification from anger's poison.

Comments

[Vinnie Cappetta]

thanks for writing on this important topic

[TonyP]

Thanks, Vinnie. Your blog looks like a great resource. I look forward to interacting with you.