It is not wrong to feel anger. As with all feelings, anger is just that- a feeling. Feelings are like weather that blows through and then is gone. The key is, how do we respond when we feel anger? We all know what it is like to feel a flash of anger when someone insults us or pushes in front of us in a (long) line. There is an impulse to “get even” or retaliate against someone who has hurt us.  

Yet just after we have the feeling, we also have a choice. Will we indulge in the feeling of self-righteous indignation? Will we mull and stew on how we have been slighted? If we make this our practice, we will become locked and loaded for the next slight that can take place anywhere. This is where conditions like road rage come from.

Proverbs teaches us “Those with good sense are slow to anger, and it is their glory to overlook an offense.” (Proverbs 19:11). The key to managing the feeling of anger, as with all feelings, is to acknowledge them honestly to ourselves and, if possible, to a wise someone who cares. When we name the feeling, we take charge of the feeling. We remain focused on being loved by God and being the person, whom God calls us to be. One wonderful result of this way of life is, as the apostle recommends in our passage, we can get a good night’s sleep.

“Dear Lord, I praise you that your love for me is greater, stronger, deeper than anything I’m feeling right now, even my anger.”