Why is anger so difficult to handle?
Paul J. Bucknell
God has made it possible that His children can by His grace adopt a gentle and self-controlled spirit rather than an angry one. We should realize, however, that some of these issues often go deeper into the life and history of an individual. Let's explore the two kinds of angry and what the Bible says about them.
But now you also, put them all aside:
anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth.
(Colossians 3:8). |
Two Kinds of Volcanoes
Slow burning
Smoldering fire
anger
Anger
Anger describes the smoldering anger that "slowly burns in your heart." This anger usually slows down to a slow but steady vindictive spirit. Often filled with self-pity, this anger is focused toward oneself - until it is released.
Unfortunately, because some of the more violent signs are missing, this anger can remain unnoticed for a long time except from those near him who are hurt by his spirit of anger. |
Fast exploding
Bursting volcano anger
Wrath
Wrath on the other hand is the sudden outburst of anger. A person is said to 'explode' with anger.
Modern English uses 'blows up' to describe this far too common scene.
This person's anger is directed toward others. Instead of long calculative acts of revenge, he takes it out right there on the spot. Horrible violence sometimes results. |
• Expose Internal Anger
Hidden sin intensifies until it bears worse fruit.
Ps 32:3-4
"When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away Through my groaning all day long. For day and night Thy hand was heavy upon me; My vitality was drained away as with the fever heat of summer. Selah."
Internalized anger creates secret thoughts and plans of revenge. Many odd and inconsiderate behaviors occur when one is silently angry.
Increased guilt causes greater bursts of anger. Anger is often closely associated with sensual sins. Dreaded physical symptoms are also commonly present.
|
• Restrain Explosive Anger
It is never best to explode.
Proverbs 29:11
"A fool gives full vent to his anger: but the wise man holding it back quiets it."
Notice the two ways to deal with anger. A fool lets the anger control him. The wise man controls it. We need to share with people the wisdom of holding back the venting of our anger. One way we can do this is show them the foolish results of the way they handle anger. We must discourage people from venting ones anger into a pillow.
Although that might be considered a form of control, the anger spirit can be better controlled and eliminated by God's grace.
Explosions of anger usually follow longer periods of silence where anger is hidden away. |
| The solution to anger is neither of these paths. Once anger has been lodged in our hearts, we and others will be negatively impacted. And in both cases, it isn't the original offender who necessarily gets the brunt of the anger. |
Next => What does Bible say about overcoming anger?
