Scripture

Our verse for today comes from Jonah 4:4, “Then the Lord said, ‘Is it right for you to be angry?'”

Background

Some of us have more of a problem with anger than others. There are those of us who struggle to not get upset over seemingly trivial things, but I would think that the majority of our problem consists of losing our temper over a particular issue. Each of us probably has one or two buttons that can be pushed and then, all bets are off. For me, one of my toughest areas is how my kids treat one another. Perhaps it stems from memories of me torturing my younger brother to no end. But whatever the reason, my patience and tolerance are severely tested when my children are mistreating one another. And so it was last night. One child was getting ridiculed, and as is so often the case, they didn’t choose to handle it well, and then ole dad got involved, and it didn’t turn out pretty. But the ugliest part is the guilt afterwards. I hear the words God asked Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry?” I look at five and seven and ten-year-olds fussing and arguing, and I wonder why it repeatedly gets my goat. They are only five and seven and ten. Sometimes they do do right by one another, and I’m sure I don’t praise them enough in those moments. And sometimes, sometimes, I do remain calm and handle their poor behavior correctly.

Application

But one thing it has taught me is that my anger doesn’t need to get riled every chance it gets. So many times, when life is throwing you its mess, we want to get upset and be angry. Occasionally that is required, but for me, when the Lord asks is it right, my answer is usually no. Now, my goal is to be able to hear that question and answer it correctly before the kettle wants to explode. God wanted Jonah to get his eyes off himself and look out at Ninevah, a huge city destined for hell. That seems like motivation enough to restrain self-pity and selfish anger. And when I’m in the midst of that battle, there’s likely someplace else my eyes need to be focusing. Someplace bigger and more meaningful. God would have me focus there as I deal with the strife of the moment. That way, two people are able to experience His grace, and the guilt that would descend is kept away by His love.

Charge

As we seek Him today, pray that you will hear God asking you His question regarding anger before you lose it. And be quick to be restored if you stumble yet again.

Salvation – Eternal Life in Less Than 150 Words