I have been angry. You?
Genesis 49 vs 5-7 accounts Jacob prophesying over Simeon and Levi before his death. These gents struggled with severe anger issues. So severely that they killed an entire town because one man raped their sister. However, noble their intention to defend their sister’s honour, their angry took justice into their hands and went totally tilt, peddle to the metal, thereby committing even more extreme violence.
Genesis 49 vs 5-7, “Simeon and Levi are brothers;
Instruments of cruelty are in their dwelling place.
Let not my soul enter their council;
Let not my honor be united to their assembly;
For in their anger they slew a man,
And in their self-will they hamstrung an ox.
Cursed be their anger, for it is fierce;
And their wrath, for it is cruel!”
Guzik, D, ‘Enduring Word’, (Pt.i) expounds on God’s Word, pointing us to understand that anger has a place, but when used by our own will, often results in terrible outcomes.
Jesus used anger, righteously, when He turned over the money-changers’ tables in the temple, cracking a whip. However, a KEY factor in the story of Jesus’ use of anger was that Jesus took the time to think- Jesus plaited a whip which takes time, calm, and focus. This would have given Jesus time to rationally choose actions to show his righteous anger, and not be reactive like Simeon and Levi.
Jesus’ motive was to help people come to God, whereas the corrupt money-changers made it difficult for people to come and repent. By over-turning the tables, and chasing the corrupt out, Jesus was demonstrating that God is welcoming FOR ALL TO COME, especially those who couldn’t afford the price for sacrificial animals, and the gentiles who the Jews despised. The money-changers flooded the gentile court of the temple making it virtually impossible for gentiles to come to God.
So why do we get angry?
To quote, ‘Psychology Today, “Anger is an emotion we’re all familiar with. We’ve all been disappointed and hurt, and felt used, threatened, or let down. When anger shows up, we experience physical symptoms, like muscle tension, a knot in the stomach, and a sudden racing heartbeat. Anger never feels good, and it often leads to unpleasant interactions with others, with damaging negative consequences.”- (Psychology Today)
Furthermore, ‘Psychology Today, explains, “Anger shows up when we feel the need to defend ourselves. It’s a sign that something is wrong and needs our attention and consideration. Neither acting out in anger nor holding it in produces a desirable result. Anger demands our attention, as it buries our more authentic primary emotions, and prevents us from seeing ourselves and our situation clearly, and understanding what is happening within ourselves.”- Monica Vermani C. Psych, ‘Understanding and Processing Anger’, (Psychology Today), June 7, 2022, https://www.psychologytoday.com/za/blog/deeper-wellness/202206/understanding-and-processing-anger?amp
Anger exists because God created anger. How do we learn to use Jesus-anger instead of Simeon/Levi-anger?
EOC Institute, ‘The Ultimate Guide to Controlling Anger’ (speaks of anger as an evolutionary emotion which I disagree with because I am a Christian, therefore a Creationist) does offer some scientific insight into the brain. To quote, “The clearest dividing line between ancient man and modern man? The brain. And if we had to choose one region specifically, the clear winner would be our thought orchestrating, higher level thinking “prefrontal cortex.” That’s the biggest difference.
We’ve always been taught that certain things can’t be changed. You can’t move a mountain. You can’t drain the ocean. You can’t change your brain.
But science has proven otherwise. You CAN change your brain… through the power of “Neuroplasticity!” If you want to be a smarter, happier, and healthier person, then finding a way to train the “Einstein-like” prefrontal cortex is critical.”- https://eocinstitute.org/meditation/meditation-for-anger-how-it-can-help-you-manage-emotions/?mind_power&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwo6GyBhBwEiwAzQTmc5v9087XSu55PPNRNqiJXM_I1mN5xypm_pEOU2PsImdtA2n_HqVEcRoCUNoQAvD_BwE
Inadvertently, EOC Institute, verifies the Holy Bible which told us thousands of years before neuroscience and neuroplasticity were ever a thing.
We know have an understanding that anger is triggered by something in us, and can be harnessed accurately by changing how we think about anger.
Anger, correctly used drives us to defend the defenseless, stop terrorists, imprison rapists, pedophiles, sex-traffickers, and drug manufacturers.
Appropriate anger creates justice.
‘HelpGuide.org’ offers insightful understanding about anger management.
To quote: “Learning to control your anger and express it appropriately will help you build better relationships, achieve your goals, and lead a healthier, more satisfying life.
Tip 1: Explore what’s really behind your anger
Tip 2: Be aware of your anger warning signs
Tip 3: Identify your triggers
Tip 4: Learn ways to cool down quickly
Tip 5: Find healthier ways to express your anger
Tip 6: Stay calm by taking care of yourself
Tip 7: Use humor to relieve tension
Tip 8: Recognize if you need anger management classes
If, despite putting these previous anger management techniques into practice, your anger is still spiraling out of control, or if you’re getting into trouble with the law or hurting others, you may need professional help. This could be in the form of therapy or anger management classes.” -https://www.helpguide.org/articles/relationships-communication/anger-management.htm
Reeves, S, ‘A Morning Prayer About Handling Anger‘, (Abide), June 7, 2023, states, “Handling anger can be difficult, but with the help of God, you can overcome this challenge. Through prayer and meditation on his Word, you can find the peace and strength you need to control your emotions and respond in a way that HONORS GOD. Remember to seek forgiveness and release any bitterness or resentment that may be holding you back. Trust in God’s guidance, and he will lead you toward a life of love, joy, and peace.”
#Hayibo 