What To Do When You Are Angry

Last week was very emotional for me. I was sad that someone I respected, Charlie Kirk, was assassinated. However, the response to his murder hit me even harder. People celebrating his death and saying horrible things about him made me question our common humanity.

A friend of mine put into words what I wanted to say but was too emotionally exhausted to say. His words accurately reflect my thoughts and feelings. Please read the words of my friend, James R. Braddy.

A random thought on a random day.

One of the most difficult passages of the Bible for me is from Ephesians 4:26: “Be angry and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger and do not give the devil an opportunity.” Perhaps the next is when Jesus said to “love your enemies.”

So, is anger ever justified? Apparently so, when it is directed at unrighteousness and not toward individuals, anger is justified. Jesus turned over tables in the temple, and I suspect He was not laughing when He did. He was angry that what was meant to be sacred was now profaned. Was Paul angry at Peter’s action of open prejudice when he publicly rebuked him?

I must guard my actions and reactions to ensure they reflect righteousness, not purely emotional responses. My anger must be controlled by God’s Spirit, not my human spirit. Loving my enemies can only happen when I see them through the eyes of Christ—people who desperately need His love and forgiveness, not my revenge or hatred.

But it is hard! Don’t pretend it is not. “Peter, put away your sword… turn the other cheek… Father, forgive them.” All difficult to do sometimes.

Our society is filled with anger and those who act on that anger. Followers of Jesus must act differently, must respond differently. Only being filled with the Holy Spirit makes this possible.

Am I angry at what is happening in our world, our nation? Yes. I am angry at the assassination of Charlie Kirk, the murder of the children in schools, the weekly—if not daily—shootings and murders of individuals in our cities, the seeming celebrations of alternative, unbiblical lifestyles, and the twisted indoctrination of our children.

My response is to speak out, to pray, and to take action to peacefully oppose, restoratively help, and to never compromise God’s eternal truth to accommodate an ever-changing culture.

And each day I pray, God help me.