ANGER.
The sting of knowing that someone was speaking lies, spreading rumors, and discrediting my character planted a burning anger right in the middle of my soul. I could feel the spread of indignation as I rehearsed rebuttals and slashing come-backs in my mind. This anger, justified, became a consuming weed. Growing thick and fast, anger consumed grace.
This could be the first emotion we feel as humans, being yanked from our mother’s comfy womb and into our cold and jarring world of unknowns. Anger is natural, but so are weeds.
Anger isn’t a sinful emotion, yet it certainly can become one as it sifts insecurities, presses into bruised spots, steps on pride, and exposes our lack of control.
God gets angry, we inherited that trait from Him as image bearers. Yet, His anger is Holy, fueled by injustice and depravity. He is righteously angry at what moves His creation away from Truth and beauty and towards destruction.
I have felt that sort of anger, as a mother, when harm comes to my children by their own foolishness or from the dark intent of another. And that fury isn’t pretty. Even my “righteous” anger is tainted with The Fall and stained with sin. Anger comes fast, spreads quickly, grows roots of bitterness and smothers beauty if we’re not vigilant. Like a gardener who attentively scans the crop for invading weeds that can sap the soil and choke out the life-giving produce, we too must stay alert and deal quickly with our anger.
How is anger manifesting in you? Time to do some weed pulling?
“And don’t sin by letting anger control you. Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil…
Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them…
Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:26-27; 29; 31-31
created to bloom 