Love Slows DownSample

The Love That Drives Out Anger 

When we don't deal with our fear it can easily turn into anger. Fear tends to find comfort in anger. Anger promises to help us defend ourselves against whatever is threatening something we value or need. 

Anger is always a secondary emotion. Anger comes from feeling a threat (or hurt) to our security, connection, or control. We feel the threat, then we get angry. Anger isn’t a sin. Anger is a sign. 

Jesus got angry about how the religious leaders were abusing people. He overturned tables in the temple. (Matt. 21:12) That was righteous anger. Righteous anger is real, but it’s rare. 

I’ve manhandled a few tables in my time, but I can’t say it was because I was standing up for the weak. Hardly. It was because I had unmet expectations or felt a threat to my security, connection, or control. 

Can you relate? 

When we get angry at something happening to us it’s always because of something happening inside us. Anger is like a warning light on your car letting you know something needs to be addressed. What you do with that warning light is what makes the difference between using anger for bad or for good. 

The Apostle Paul said, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:31-32). When we get angry at situations that threaten our security, connection, or control it tends to lead to unrighteous anger and bitterness, and all the other things Paul mentions in that verse. But anger can also be used as for good. 

We use anger for good when we control the anger and realize that it’s pointing to an area of our life that we need to surrender to God. Anger can remind us that only God’s love can give perfect security, connection, and control. Anger can point to areas of our lives where we’re seeking those things from somewhere besides Him. When you get angry, slow down, take a deep breath, step away from the situation, then say a prayer and ask God to bring you peace and show you what area you need to surrender to Him. He will give you peace and insight. And you’ll have a much better chance of resolving the situation in a healthy way. Love slows down. Anger speeds up. So slow down and lean into God’s love today.