The Radiator: The Bible On Anger And Keeping Your Cool

The radiator is a crucial component of any car. Designed as part of the cooling system, the radiator's job is to pump coolant through the engine, cooling it down by extracting heat. Like humans, without some way of cooling off (ours being sweat), an engine could get immensely damaged, to the point of self-destruction. This mirrors our anger, as like a coolant-less engine sees temperatures crescendoing to critical points, throughout the day, one could notice their anger becoming greater and greater, until finally, they explode. So, what does the bible have to say about anger? Let's find out.

Anger is as Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines, "a strong feeling of displeasure and usually of antagonism." Long story short, anger is an extremely potent emotion, one which like the bubbling fire it resembles within us, if not controlled, will consume us.

God gave us emotions so that we may express ourselves. Being so, anger isn't bad on its own, but the evils we contemplate acting upon due to its influence, are. As stated in Ephesians 4:26, “in your anger do not sin." In this regard then, we can feel angry, but that's as far as we are allowed to let it go. We, as humans don't have the heavenly authority to judge others, as we aren't holy, that right remains in the Lord. As James writes in chapter 4, verse 12, "there is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?" Furthermore, the Bible warns: "do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord" - Romans 12:19. We may feel angry, but we don't have the right to respond, fester, or live out the way we feel. Every punch we wish to throw, or vengeful course of action we wish to take, isn't from the Lord, and is the devil's tactic to get you out of the will of God. So yes, you can feel angry, but you must remain in the will of God despite it.

How do we handle anger?

The Bible outlines a myriad of ways to faithfully navigate our anger, all of which are timeless and effective.

Forgive Others

Many times, our anger comes from simple conflicts between one another over something the other said or did. Over time or even more, this anger can fester even worse and cause divides, starring such simple 'injustices' as the basis of lifelong feuds. Ironically, sometimes a simple apology is the best thing we can do for one another, since needing it in our lives, we become hypocrites ourselves if we revoke it from our brothers/sisters in Christ. When angry or quarrelsome, we must first remember to: "bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." - Colossians 3:13

Become Slow To Anger

As James writes in chapter 1, verses 19-20, "my dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires." By being slow to anger, not only can we better manage our temper, but we'll mimic the Lord, who in the same spirit is slow to anger himself.

Respond Correctly

Hurt people hurt people, cliche as it is, it's the truth. One of the easiest ways we get angry and as a result, in conflicts on the daily, is in how we respond to one another. Outlined in Proverbs 15:1, "a gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." We reap what we sow (see Galatians 6-9), and being so, if we want to avoid increasing frustrations, tensions, and subsequently anger, then we need to watch not just what we say, but how we say it, for each plays a role in how these interactions come across.

Go To God

As we read before, God is all powerful, and seeing as we're not, it'd be foolish not to seek his wisdom. God doesn't call us to a life of anger, in fact he wishes that we live a life of peace, rather than conflict, something that defies our stubbornness to hold onto our quarrels. Here too, as with every other facet of his will, God has equipped us to live this way. By prayer, petition, and being in his presence, time with God is a surefire way to eliminate any adverse mentalities gifted by Satan. "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:7. As with every situation where we need help, there's no better option that we have available to us than the ability to go to God. "Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken." - Psalms 55:22

God has blessed us so richly that can feel anger, but we mustn't pervert it into something that is outside his will. Like an overheating engine, when we feel the temperature rising, It's best to get off the gas, pick up his word, and receive the Lord's peace over our lives.

Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. - Proverbs 29:11