Perceptions #200406

"What Makes You Angry"

by Norman Bales

A friend of mine used to say, "I wouldn't give you two cents for a man who doesn't have a temper." Sometimes Christians incorrectly assume that all anger is sin. Actually the scriptures do not condemn anger, although the writers of scripture certainly recognized its sinful potential. In Ephesians 4:26 Paul wrote, "'In your anger do not sin.' Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry . . .." When Jesus observed injustice he displayed anger when he cleansed the temple (John 2:13-17). On the other hand he rebuked Peter when he cut off the ear of Malchus (John 18:10).

What makes you angry? Some of the most expressive exhibitions of anger take place at sporting events. If a baseball pitcher throws the ball high and inside, he runs the risk of instigating a bench-clearing brawl. If he's a National League pitcher he can count on receiving a fastball aimed at his head the next time he comes to bat. It's considered a necessary part of the game even though a baseball thrown at the speed of more than ninety miles an hour has the capability of killing the batter.

Isn't it strange how we can get worked up over a referee's call and offer nothing more than a shrug of the shoulders when we see someone being ripped off by an unscrupulous merchant? Shouldn't we be angry when we learn that innocent people have been decapitated even though their only crime was being in the wrong place at the wrong time? And shouldn't there be a sense of outrage when children are abused, when wives are battered, when drunk drivers kill innocent motorists, when Christianity is marginalized, and when moral standards erode? Of course the answer is, "Yes."

But how do we express our anger? A baseball pitcher throws the ball at the head of an opposing batter. Sports fans hurl beer bottles on the field and in some instances have even started riots. A referee's opinion is not likely to be changed by the fans who scream obscenities and throw beer bottles on the field. When we are confronted with injustice and immorality, we are not likely to change things by writing hate letters and calling names. That kind of immature response labels us as knee jerk reactionaries. While we need to respond to injustice, our response must be measured, reasonable and restrained. My wife often says, "You catch more flies with honey than vinegar." That's a good thing to remember when we are angry, even when our anger is justified.

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