“[Jesus] knows that left untended, anger leads us to internalize messages about ourselves and others, making it permissible to destroy people in our heart, with our words, and through our actions. He prods us to get beneath the surface of our anger to make room for God’s power.”- Rich Villodas
“The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.”- Psalm 145:8 (ESV)
Rich Villodas concludes Chapter 5 of The Narrow Path as he talks about resisting anger and practicing lament. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus offers no bulleted list of practices to put anger in its proper place. Instead, Rich notes, Jesus offers a staggering image. That image shows how to (a) manage anger and (b) be in a right relationship with God.
Therefore, Jesus tells us that if our relationship with another person is damaged, our relationship with God isn’t as good as we think. In other words, Rich asserts, here’s Jesus’ point:
“We can’t be in relationship with the Lord of life if we are secretly harboring death in our hearts.”
Furthermore, Jesus’ instructions speak to the urgency of the moment. Because it takes very little for a tiny bit of anger to flame into consuming rage.
In conclusion, Rich stresses, legitimate reasons for anger exist. However, there’s no legitimate reason for letting that anger consume you. Therefore, while anger closes us in, lament opens us up. Consequently, lament creates space in our hearts. With that space, the Holy Spirit redirects our hearts and reveals the root of the anger.
Thus, Rich exhorts:
“God’s anger unfolds in slow motion, but his steadfast love moves to us with hyper-speed. How comforting this is! . . . With Christ’s love compelling you, and his Spirit transforming you, your anger won’t own you. On the narrow path, hemmed in by grace on all sides. you will find freedom from rage and know satisfaction that lasts.”
Today’s question: What Bible verses help you counter anger left untended? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Plain, honest speech – standard”