Anger and What It Tells You

Be Angry and Do Not Sin

Paul does not say: do not be angry. He says: Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger. The anger is acknowledged. The question is what you do with it.

Anger that is suppressed tends to leak. It comes out sideways in sharpness and withdrawal. Anger that is examined can tell us something true about what we value and what has been hurt.

Anger as Information

When anger rises in you, ask: what has been violated? What did I want or expect that didn't happen? What does this tell me about what I care about?

That is not to say anger is always right — it often contains distortion. But beneath it, there is usually something true. Today, if you are carrying anger, give it a little honest attention before the day ends.