“For years, I missed seeing the gift of anger. That may sound strange, but it’s true. Anger is a gift — a way to appropriately respond to the incongruities and injustices of life. Anger is a way to release the valve of our souls when life surprises and wounds us.”- Rich Villodas
“Then Jesus asked [the Pharisees], ‘Which is lawful on the Sabbath, to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?’ But they remained silent. He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored.”- Mark 3:4-5 (NIV)
In Chapter 5 (“Our Anger”) of The Narrow Path, Rick Villodas underscores the complicated nature of anger. Because many of our families, cultures, and church communities fail to make room for anger. As a result, that position suffocates anger out of our lives. Hence, that forces us to live inhuman lives. And that, in turn, leads to self-deception and emotional hiding.
Therefore, we need not question whether or not anger exists. Instead, we must ask to what level anger has influenced our lives. Above all, in its healthiest sense, anger identifies what needs to be made right.
When Jesus threw the moneychangers out of the temple and also healed the man with the withered hand in the synagogue, Jesus’ anger emerged. Because people mistreated the poor and the marginalized. Interestingly, Rich points out, Jesus never responds when others mistreat Him. Rather, He always respond in defense of others.
In addition, Rich states, sometimes anger functions as a redemptive gift when fueled by the desire to work for justice. As theologian and Barbara Holmes explains:
“A theology of anger invites us to wake up from the hypnotic influence of unrelenting oppression so that individuals and communities can shake off the shackles of denial, resignation, and nihilism.”
Today’s question: When do you, like Pastor Rich, miss seeing the gift of anger? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Keeping the anger alive?”