"Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger" Ephesians 4:26 ESV
It is impossible for us to not get angry. It's as natural a part of us as happiness and sadness, it's another emotion. With all emotions, but perhaps more so with anger, it is how we decide to act on that anger. Here's a simple real-life example that is likely to happen to you before the day is out. You are driving along and someone cuts you off. We of course all being excellent drivers have never committed this same violation. How do you react in that moment? Do you shake it off, or do you let it gnaw at you for your remaining trip? The anger is not the sin, it's how we choose to respond that can lead to sin!
There are times when it is wholly appropriate for us to react strongly to injustice. This righteous indignation is what Jesus demonstrated when he drove the money changers from the temple (Matthew 21). Our anger and disgust at what happened in Minneapolis this week should inflame our own righteous indignation. Rioting in the streets and spewing hate towards the officers on social media is a sinful response. Instead, we as individuals, communities, and churches should focus on positive responses to ensure this doesn't happen again.
God, we are thankful that when you created us you gave us emotions. We fully experience life through the range of these emotions; happiness, sadness, fear, and anger. We ask for your help in responding to anger not sinfully but righteously. Also, help us to let the anger go and not keep it bottled up inside leading to resentment. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
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