Anger usually grows out of a lack of control in the moment. Even that is not altogether true because not every “out of control' situation prompts one to be angry. There are times when anger is actually good and, therefore, desirable. Let's call this the up side of anger.

• Being angry at evil provides energy for rectifying it for good.
• Anger over injustice is always justified.
• Anger at incompetence is usually a good thing.
• Anger about a wrong has power to bring things ‘round right.

Anger also has a down side. Anger can be disgusting, demeaning, and destructive to the point of being disastrous.

Consider some probing questions about anger:

1. Do people tend to make you angry, or do situations?
2. Are you generally remembered for a particular situation of anger?
3. Do little things add up until you loose it and pop off?
4. Does it usually take a big thing to trip you into anger?
5. How long has it been since you were really angry?
6. Does your anger usually produce negative results or positive results?
7. Do you feel shame because of your anger?

Did you come out on the up side or the down side of these questions?

Getting angry is a fact of life that is here to stay. How shall we handle it?

Earlier, we mentioned that anger usually grows out of one's lack of control. Jesus is our model about self-control. When he got really angry in the Temple, he kept control of himself and, therefore, of the situation. Because he was in control, he didn't need to hold back anything. His unusual anger made a memorable difference in the Temple that day.

Jesus demonstrated with his power various kinds of controlled action when he faced his fickle disciples, the cunning Pilate, and the callous crowd. He astounded and confounded all of them with His power of control. The blueprint for Jesus' action was in the Proverbial saying, “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. (Proverbs 15:1 RSV)"

Focus on the often unnoticed words of this passage, “turns away:”

• Turns away - like a shield. (I need a shield from anger.)
• Turns away - as in defends against. (I need a sure defense against becoming angry.)
• Turns away - because control is maintained. (I need control at all times, especially, when I am angry.)

A protective shield
The presence of a sure defense
The power of control

All three are prompted by a soft answer. Whereas, our use of a harsh word stirs up unwanted anger.

Ironically, there are also times when one may actually pray for anger to be a gift “in the moment.” When anger is given as a gift, it brings its own wisdom about how to properly use it—like Jesus did!