What Makes You Angry?

James 4:1-2

While it is true that Jesus did get angry on occasion, it is also worth noting what He was angry about. Generally, it was the sin and blindness of the religious leaders, leading their followers astray, that ticked Him off. His anger mirrored His Father’s. As James points out, ours usually doesn’t. Much of our anger is the result of the sinful desires within us. We want something we didn’t get or can’t have, we’re offended because we didn’t receive the respect or recognition we think we deserve, or we lash out because something someone says brings back a past, unforgiven hurt. Jesus experienced righteous indignation. Most often, ours is unrighteous anger.

Questions for further thought:
1. What makes anger, which we all experience, cross the line from normal emotion to sin?
2. Do you have certain kinds of anger (bad drivers, for instance) that you put into the category of “excusable?” Do you think God would agree?

​Challenge: Ask the question – why am I so angry? Watch yourself over the next week and note anytime you say, “I’m so angry!” Then dig down to determine why this particular person, thing or statement has fired you up. Focus on this area and ask for God to reveal what steps you need to take to address it.