CHICKASHA — By Pastor Mark Hiehle

First Church of the Nazarene



For many years, I have enjoyed collecting funny stories, but I love telling them even more.  I once read of a man that got on a train and gave the porter a large tip in advance. He asked the porter to wake him up and make sure he got off the train at the 3 AM stop as he had a business meeting that he must not miss.  He also told the porter that he was a heavy sleeper, so it might be difficult to wake him.  The porter promised and took the tip.  The next morning the man woke to learn that he had missed his stop and his meeting – he was mad.  He found the porter and began to scream and yell at him.  He told the porter that he would never work on another train again after the railroad learns of his incompetence.  After the man stormed off, another train attendant who witnessed the tirade said to the porter, Wow, that was the angriest man I have ever seen.  No, not really said the porter, You should have seen the guy I put off the train at 3 this morning.

Getting bent out of shape happens to all of us.  Sometimes we get angry and it is justified, but other times we get angry over things that really do not matter.  Someone once said that anger is the result of an unmet expectation.  We expect someone will do something, say something or follow through with something and when they don’t, we become angry.  The emotion of anger is not wrong, but if we do not handle it correctly, it can become explosive and sinful.  The Apostle Paul said in Ephesians chapter 4 verse 26, In your anger do not sin.  Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the Devil a foothold.

When it comes to anger, some people try to ignore it, or they hold it in to the point that it causes ulcers, headaches or worse.  Others take the shot gun approach.  They let their anger blast out and do not care what damage it causes.   They just feel better about getting it off their chest.  Unbridled anger can come out as a fit of rage, unwholesome language or violent outbursts.  All of these ways of dealing with anger are harmful and wrong.  In order to deal with anger correctly, we need God’s help and power.

As we read through scripture, we find that Jesus became angry with the religious leaders over injustice and false teaching.  He also became angry with the temple merchants and money changers for turning God’s house into a den of thieves.  As He dealt with His anger, He controlled His emotions.  His emotions did not control Him.

His anger did not turn into bitterness, and He did not hold grudges.  Rather, He expressed His anger properly and in a way that brought God honor.  The anger that Jesus expressed did not stem from petty arguments, personal slights, or selfish desires.  Jesus became angry at sinful behavior and true injustice.

As each of us examine ourselves, do we become angry over the right issues of life or over personal preferences and impressions?  Does our anger result in Godly responses or does it fracture relationships and damage people?  The Book of James chapter one tells us, Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.  The key is to deal with the issues and behaviors that must be addressed, and then offer forgiveness.  Love covers over a multitude of sins.