SLOW TO ANGER
Carey Madding
Today's Scripture: “The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.” Exodus 34:6, ESV
Theme: When we follow God’s example, we are slow to anger. We also become known for our mercy, graciousness, abounding love, and faithfulness.
USING JESUS AS EXAMPLE
When we want to justify “righteous anger,” we look to one story of Jesus behaving in a way that could be described as angry, cleansing the temple of moneychangers and profiteers. It is an event recorded in all four Gospels, but I have found a tidbit in John that the others do not record. Matthew, Mark, and Luke all basically say, “He entered the temple and began to drive out...” Then they list the mercenary behaviors happening in that most holy place. John says He entered and found them there, but then adds, “And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple” (John 2:15a, ESV). I can imagine Jesus carefully gathering supplies, fashioning a whip, while using that time to slow down and have a conversation with God. I can imagine His prayer: “Father, I am angry, I am offended for the sake of Your Name! Help me to act rightly!”
LEARNING TO CONTROL ANGER
As the daughter or an Air Force officer, I knew better than to slam a door, throw a book, or “sass” back. But over time, I also learned that I would be allowed to have the needed conversations...after I had cooled down! My parents were strict, but fair. If I was not angry, pouting, or being disrespectful, we could discuss the situation. I didn’t always get what I wanted (like going to the seventh-grade dance), but I was always heard.
My dad taught me that no teacher, boss, coach, or coworker wants a hothead on the team. It is possible to disagree—respectfully—without venting. He did not tell me to stuff my emotions. He wanted me to get them under control, and to do that, I needed time and space. I have often taken a “dressing down” from a boss with a head nod and a “yes, ma’am,” only to return to their office the next morning. I was able to begin a productive discussion when I said, “I carefully thought about our conversation yesterday. There are a few things I’d like to discuss.”
NOT “ALL OR NONE”
God does get angry. As our memory verse for this week states, we can be angry. We should be angry at injustice and suffering. But anger does not give us the right to sin. It can motivate us to work for change. It can cause us to turn to God. What we may not do is sit in anger, bitterness, and malice without giving these emotions to God and asking what He would have us do with them.
When Job is justifying his right standing with God to his friends, he mentions his actions on behalf of the helpless:
“I put on righteousness, and it clothed me;
my justice was like a robe and a turban.
I was eyes to the blind
and feet to the lame.
I was a father to the needy,
and I searched out the cause of him whom I did not know.
I broke the fangs of the unrighteous
and made him drop his prey from his teeth.” Job 29:14-17, ESV
That last verse sounds drastic; it sounds angry and violent. So, it is never “all or none” when we talk about anger. However, God is always “slow to anger.” We should also aim for this attribute. By taking that extra time, we save ourselves and those we are dealing with from hurtful words, offensive actions, and long-term consequences.
Make It Personal: How would you describe your anger? Do you vent or stuff it? Do you say whatever comes into your head, or do you pout and roll around angry retorts in your mind? Do you act immediately or do you pause? God does not want you hanging onto anger long-term; nor does He want you popping off without prayerful thought. Be balanced and patient in your anger, as you should be in all areas of your emotions and life.
Pray: Lord God, You have every right to be angry with us. We do not listen and obey. We disregard Your precious Son and His sacrifice. We get offended over petty misunderstandings yet ignore grave injustices and tragedies. We are selfish. But You, Father, are patient, gentle, and slow to anger. Teach me Your ways. Help me be like Jesus. In His Name I pray. Amen.
Read: Nahum 1:2-3, Matthew 5:21-22, Ephesians 4:31, Galatians 5:22-23
Weekly Memory Verse: “Be angry and do not sin;” Ephesians 4:26a, ESV