Anger: Friend or Foe?

posted January 26, 2016

In spite of any first impressions you may get, this post is not about politics. It’s about my concern that anger seems to be acceptable now. Indeed, I think we’ve embraced it as a friend.

Trump openly admits he is angry, welcoming that identity. It seems anger appeals to the electorate (including many evangelical Christians), and his popularity is growing because of it.  Bernie Sanders is known as the angry candidate in the Democratic Party, and some say it is increasing his’ favorability. Other candidates tried the anger stance to see if it helps their cause.

It goes beyond the candidates. The Black Life Matters movement also uses anger to further their purposes, but they take it a step further. They use anger to justify criminal mischief and destruction of property to further their cause.

I’m fascinated but also horrified at the open use of anger to gather attention, a following, and power.

It’s particularly scary to me because it’s working. Many people are frustrated, even angry, at the direction our country is going. They identify with the voices that express their frustration and anger. They tag along hoping it will lead to change.

It seems anger is intentionally being stirred up and used as a banner, a rallying point to draw followers. People feel empowered and follow if someone else bellows their discontent and insults for them.

It’s disturbing to see so much anger in our midst, but it’s more disturbing to see anger becoming an acceptable emotion, a rallying point, a friend.

Power obtained through anger is a rotten counterfeit. It may provide immediate results, but ultimately it pushes people away, destroys relationships, and erodes respect and influence. Anger causes more harm than good. If we want to walk in godliness, it is not our friend, but a foe

We can be sure anger is not acceptable or effective because God said to get rid of it—of all wrath, strife, contention, and slander. He said to put it behind us (Gal. 5:19-21, Eph. 4:31, Col. 3:8).

And yet, it’s being intentionally and openly used o draw followers. Furthermore, we’re blindly following—finding fellowship and hope—because of anger.

We seem to have forgotten that, “Anger does not achieve the righteousness of God” (Jam. 1:20).

If we place our hope in the voice of anger, we’ll be sorely disappointed, because wrongs will not be righted through anger. Even when wrath of the masses is combined, it will not produce the RIGHTeousness that we long for.

There are many valid reasons for concern about the direction of our nation. But the answer is not in anger.

So, what are we suppose to do? If gathering around anger isn’t the answer to bring change, what is?

• We need to seek first God’s kingdom. We need to obey Him and put away anger rather than embracing it and seeking to join with others in our anger.
• We need to cry out to God for His kingdom to come and His will to be done on Earth as it is in heaven. The Word is filled with stories of God supernaturally changing situations or the direction of culture when His children turned to Him to be their salvation. If we trust Him instead of ourselves, He will make changes.
• As we vote, we need to remember that “unless the Lord builds the house (nation), they labor in vain who build it” (Ps. 127:1a). We need a leader who looks to God for direction and leans on God for strength and power.

I’m reminded of Andrea Crouch’s “Jesus is the Answer for the World Today.” It sounds simplistic, like a cliché. But Jesus is our hope and salvation, is He not?

If we place our hope in a man, it will be in vain. If we embrace anger because we hope for change, we will be disappointed.

Embracing anger as a friend is an act of hostility toward God, making us His enemy (Jam. 4:4). We’ve already outlawed prayer, approved the killing of babies, and attempted to redefine the nature of marriage. How much longer will God tolerate our rejection of Him before He releases His wrath on us? It’s time to take stock.

Friend or foe? Anger is not our friend. It will harm us. God said to get rid of it, not embrace it.

I think we need to ask the question again, making it personal. What would God say about us?

It’s our choice. Are we His friend? Or foe? Will we choose anger and follow the ways of the world? Or will we follow Him?