Anger!!

Anger Intoxicates

Anger is dangerous because it makes you not think. That’s what mental anger does. Extreme anger clouds your senses. That is why, when people are angry, they see and do things that they later regret. It works like drinking alcohol – it has an effect and releases chemicals within you. Anger can either be small or extreme. There’s steaming hot anger that makes people kill others. Chemicals pour into your body and you lose sense, like you’re high on alcohol which is why it’s best not to let anger control you. The Bible says anger rests in the bosom of a fool (Eccl 7:9).

This dangerous type of anger sits within you, festers, and rots like something has gone bad. The Bible warns us not to let the sun go down on our wrath (Eph 4:26) because unresolved anger can poison you. Anger should come up and then be gone quickly, that is why the Bible advises, “be angry but do not sin!”

Jesus’ Example

When I was learning these things years ago, I read in my Bible that Jesus looked upon them with anger, when He wanted to heal the man with the withered hand, and they started making noise. He looked around with anger, but He did not sin (Mark 3:5). I wondered about this, and I saw that it’s possible to be angry and not sin.

What to do with Anger?

It’s clear: do your best not to get angry, but if you do, be very careful. If you know you can’t manage it, try not to be angry at all. Move away from situations that provoke you. Don’t let it rest in you. Don’t go to bed angry, wake up angry, and keep it in you. It poisons you like one who is constantly drunk. Drinking continuously impairs your ability to act well, just as constant anger does. You make terrible mistakes, hurt yourself and others, and damage relationships.

When you act out of anger, it’s like being drunk. You might say terrible things, hurt people, or even commit physical violence. Many people have killed in a fit of rage and regret it later, but in that moment, their anger clouded their judgment. The village philosophers say that when someone’s angry, they are like a mad person for a while.

Anger can become sin, but like drinking something intoxicating, you can manage it in small amounts. A teaspoon of beer won’t intoxicate you, but a bottle might. Anger, in small amounts, can be controlled, but in large amounts, it can make you lose control. Some people can handle more without losing control, while others cannot. The key is recognizing your limits and managing your anger before it manages you.

Is All Anger Bad?

People often react to extreme cases of anger, like how people react to excessive drinking. They see the worst cases and make blanket statements. They might say all alcohol is bad because of its potential to cause harm, just as they might say all anger is bad. But the Bible is balanced. It tells the truth without going to extremes. God’s word advises us to manage our anger wisely and not let it control us. So, don’t let it rest in you. Control it, seek God’s help, and protect yourself and others from its destructive effects.