In his book, Counseling Friends in Need, Harold J. Sala talks about emotions in how they are a natural part of our beings, yet they can get out of control. He asks though, if God is
"pleased by our succuming to our emotions".
What counts, he continues, is "the victory" over those emotions that threaten to overwhelm us (see 2 Corinthians 2:14).
Anger is one of the most common emotions that can explode and implode our calm. It can be like a volcano ready and waiting at any second to erupt into its destructive course, obliterating everything and everyone in its path, like Mt. Vesuvius' eruption.
Yet, Ephesians 4:26 exhorts,
"Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger" (ESV).
Somewhere as the pendulum swings, anger crosses the line into sin. What a person does with the anger has potential for good or for destruction. Best to get it reined in before night fall.
The victory can be ours, in Christ. We have the Holy Spirit's help. We have the avenue to confess wrongful anger to the Lord, gaining His forgiveness (see 1 John 1:9). One of the characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit is self-control. As we practice this, victory can come.
Naturally, there are irritants that kindle and cause our anger in the first place. Our anger can stem from a build up over years and years of irritants, abuse and trauma, so much so that the anger has become ingrained rage. I don't mean to sound glib and flippant. There is likely no overnight charm. However, removing, if possible, some of these sources could help but ultimately we'll need to be mindful of exercising self-control with the Lord's help. His help will be essetntial.
We can make it a point of prayer, seeking our Lord's help and the help of someone in our lives who can keep us accountable in being an overcomer. We can be
"more than conquerors through him who loved us" (see Romans 8:37-39 ESV).
No scheme of man can knock you down from a determined path of recovery while walking with the Lord.
This reminds me of the poem Footprints where there were two sets of footprints of two people who had been walking side by side. But then the author looks back and sees where there is then only one set of footprints. Those had been the worst of times. She's is heartbroken that Jesus would no longer be walking beside her. She questions this! Why doesn't He care!! Where IS He? That's when the still soft voice comforts, "That's when I carried you."
His presence IS with us. Talk with Him.
Our Lord and Savior loves us too much to let us wallow in fomenting anger. That's why the injunction to not let the sun go down on our anger is so important. We cannot deny our emotions but we also should not let them control us.
I realize this sounds easier said than done, and we'd likely mess up multiple times, but with Christ, all things are possible.
"Yet not I but through Christ in me" (see Galatians 2:20 KJV).
Let's trust Jesus and let Him take control Seek out friends you trust to lend a hand and an empathic ear.
Father God, thank-You for the emotions you have granted us. Yet we desparately need Your help to keep them in check and to gain victory over the destructiveness they can bring when we willfully allow them full freedom. May self-control under Your full control develop purposefully in our lives. Make a way for us each and every day.
We humbly ask in Jesus' name. Amen.
~ ERC March 2025 ~
Based on Ephesians 4:26 ESV and Counseling Friends in Need by Harold J. Sala - Chapter 8 - Using the Bible to Counsel Emotional Problems, pages 154-162.
Sing, I Trust Jesus, along with Matthew West, and Jenn Johnson. Concentrate on the sentiments of the lyrics.
